Influence of Storage Containers and Seed Pelleting on Seed Quality in Brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) during Storage

The experiment was conducted using brinjal hybrid seeds cv. Arka Navneet. Seeds were pelleted with Bavistin, ZnSO4, MnSO4, DAP and Arappu leaf powder and stored in paper and polyethylene bags under ambient conditions for 12 months. Among the seed pelleting treatments, seeds pelleted with Bavistin (0.1%) followed by Albezia amara leaf powder (250 g/kg) resulted in minimum quantitative losses with better seed quality parameters. The seeds stored in polyethylene (700 gauges) bags maintained better seed quality parameters with less quantitative losses in comparison with seeds stored in paper bags throughout the storage period. In the interaction, effect of seeds pelleted with Bavistin and stored in polyethylene bag followed by Albezia amara leaf powder and stored in polyethylene bag revealed higher values for all the positive quality parameters when compared to other interaction effects throughout the storage period

Development of priming technology for enhanced planting value of seeds in kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The continuous rise in global population demands more food production under limited land resources accompanied by climate change. More oversupply of quality seeds to meet ever-growing food demand is a highly challenging task. Seeds with low vigour level limit the growth and yield of crops at varied field conditions. Hence, an experiment was conducted to develop a technique for the fast and homogeneous growth of kabuli chickpea seeds. The priming treatments evaluated in the present study enhanced the various seed quality parameters of kabuli chickpea significantly when compared to control. Hydro-priming for 4 hours (at 20°C) and air drying for 72 hours showed better results compared to rest of the treatments both in fresh seeds which recorded higher first count (66.38%), germination (92.50%) root length (11.85 cm), shoot length (6.16), mean seedling length (18.01), dry seedling weight (747 mg), seedling vigour index-I (1665), higher speed of emergence (0.3992) and old seeds with higher first count (61.88%), germination (74.13%) root length (8.15 cm), shoot length (5.85 cm), mean seedling length (14.00 cm), seedling dry weight (611 mg), seedling vigour index-I (1056), higher speed of emergence (0.3814). The aged seeds have recorded 29 % increase in germination percentage in contrast to 8 percent increases in fresh seeds. Kabuli chickpea seeds could be subjected to hydropriming, an affordable, alternative, and eco-friendly technique for improving seed and seedling vigour of kabuli chickpea

Effect of nano based seed treatment insecticides on seed quality in Pigeonpea

A laboratory experiment was conducted to know the effect seed treatment with nano insecticides on seed quality of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) cv. TS3R. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of macro and nano insecticides on seed germination and vigour of Pigeonpea. Different recommended seed treatment insecticides viz, malathion, fenvalerate, emamectine benzoate, thiodicarb, sweet flag and neem seed kernel powder insecticides were synthesized to nano form using high energy planetary ball mill. The Pigeonpea seed were treated with different nano insecticides i.e., 10-90 per cent reduction in actual dosage. Among the different treatments studied, seed treated with nano malathion 50 per cent lesser than normal dosage, fenvalerate 60 per cent lesser, thiodicarb 10 per cent lesser, emamectine benzoate 30 per cent lesser, sweetflag 70 per cent lesser, neem seed kernel powder 40 per cent lesser than actual recommended dosage gave significantly higher seed germination (98.0, 98.67, 98.67, 97.0, 99.0 and 98.67 percent) ,less number of abnormal seedlings (1.0, 0.33, 1.0, 1.0, 1.0 and 0.33 per cent) , shoot length (10.13, 9.00, 11.47, 9.50, 10.90 and 10.87 cm), root length (12.56, 12.93, 12.83, 12.60 11.50 and 13.00 cm), seedling dry weight (85.73, 87.40, 88.47, 87.70, 88.60 and 88.27 g) and seedling vigour index (2223, 2164, 2397, 2143, 2217 and 2354) as compared to untreated seeds and macro insecticides. Therefore, it is very clear that nano based insecticides has a significant (0.1 %) impact on the seed quality improvement

Standardization of Screen Aperture Size for Grading of Dhaincha Seeds

To standardize the sieve size for seed grading in dhaincha during Kharif, 2019–20 and 2020–21, an experiment was carried out. The native dhaincha species was processed using slotted perforated metal sieves with CRD design ranging S1 - 1.4 mm (S), S2- 1.6 mm (S), S3- 1.8 mm (S), S4 - 2.0 mm (S), and S5- 2.2 mm (S). The study realized that 2.0 mm and 2.2 mm sieves recorded highest seed quality standards and yielded larger-sized seeds. the results revealed that the seed recovery per cent in the 1.4 mm screen was maximum, whereas, the seed quality, nevertheless was better when seeds were graded using 2.0 mm and 2.2 mm sieves.  From the combined average data of the two years, the highest quality seeds were retrieved by grading the seeds using 2.0 mm screen with good seed recovery per cent viz., SR (92.99%), PP (98.46%), PLS (90.37%), TW (26.16 g), SG (81.63 %), TSL (25.2 cm), SDW (14.4 mg), SVI-I (2103) and SVI-II (1174). Hence, the 2.0 mm screen can be used to obtained highest quality seeds with economical seed recovery

Standardization of Nipping Technique for Enhancement of Seed Yield and Quality in Sunn Hemp

A field experiment entitled “standardization of nipping technique for enhancement of seed yield and quality in sunn hemp” was conducted during Kharif  2019-20 and 2020-21 at Seed Production Block, NSP, Seed Unit, UAS, Raichur. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with fifteen treatments including nipping and foliar spray of cycocel and their combinations in three replications. The results emanated from the experiment recorded maximum plant height (cm), early 50 per cent flowering and maturity in T1 (no nipping). Whereas, nipping at 30 and 40 DAS and foliar spray of cycocel at 50 DAS (T15) recorded maximum number of branches per plant, chlorophyll content (SPAD Values), leaf area (cm2), number of pods per plant, seed yield per plant, seed yield (q ha-1), seed germination (%), total seedling length (cm), seedling dry weight (mg) and seedling vigour index I and II. While the nipping at 30 DAS and foliar spray of cycocel @ 1000 ppm at 40 DAS (T12) is a better option in terms of obtaining higher net returns and B:C ratio in sunn hemp. Whereas, maximum cost of cultivation was found in nipping at 30, 40 DAS and 50 DAS (T8)