Seed technology

The pot experiments were carried out on cowpea in Rabi season during 2013 to 2014. The experiments were conducted to the effect of different types of priming (GA3, lemon juice and tamarind leaf extract) on germination, vigour and seedling parameters of cowpea seed. The experiments were done with cultivar, BARI cowpea-2 with three priming materials: gibberellin, lemon juice and tamarind leaf extract. During Rabi season 2013 to 2014, three concentrations of gibberellins (10, 20 and 30 ppm), three concentrations of lemon juice (2, 4 and 6 %), three concentrations of tamarind leaf extract (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15%) with two priming time duration: 6 hours and 12 hours with control. G3H12 gives height germination index and G3H6 gives height speed of germination and vigour index but G3H12 is given similar results of G3H6. Priming in gibberellin 30 ppm for 12 hours is the best for cowpea.

Microsatellite markers were used for fingerprinting of hybrids, assessing variation within parental lines and testing the genetic purity of hybrid seed lot in rice. In this study 35 simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers were employed for fingerprinting 2 popular rice hybrids and their parental lines. Six SSR markers were found polymorphic across the hybrids and produced unique fingerprint for the 2 hybrids. A set of five markers (RM 206, RM 276, RM 204, RM 234 and RM 228) differentiated the 2 hybrids from each other, which can be used as referral markers for unambiguous identification and protection of these hybrids. The analysis of plant-toplant variation within the parental lines of the hybrid KRH-2 and DRRH-2, using informative markers indicated residual heterozygosity at two marker loci. This highlights the importance of SSR markers in maintaining the genetic purity of the parental lines. To utilize these SSR markers effectively for detection of impurities in hybrids, a two dimensional DNA sampling strategy involving a 20 × 20 grow-out matrix has been designed and used for detection of contaminants in a seed-lot of the popular Hybrids viz., KRH-2 and DRRH-2. The validation of the identified markers was done with conventional grow out test (GOT) and they were comparable with the GOT.

This work reviews the historical and current pest risks and research concerning seed storage in the Czech Republic
(CR). Stored seed pests (i.e. animals causing injuries to the germ and endosperm) represent a high risk of economic
damage due to the high value of seeds coupled with long-term seed storage in small storage units (e.g., boxes, satchels).
Rodents represent a significant risk to all types of seeds, especially seeds stored in piles or bags. Mites, psocids, and
moths are the main pests of stored grass and vegetable seeds: mites can decrease seed germinability by 52% and psocids
caused 9.7% seed weight loss in broken wheat kernels after 3 months of infestation under laboratory conditions.
Although beetles (Sitophilus sp., Tribolium sp., Oryzaephilus sp.) and moths (Plodia sp.) are common pests of grain
seeds (e.g., wheat, barley, maize), two serious seed pests, Sitotroga cereallela and S. zemays, are rare in the CR. Bruchus
pisorum is a common pest of pea seeds, while other Bruchids are rare in the Czech legume seed stores. Currently, the
control of seed pests is becoming difficult because the efficient pesticides (e.g., methylbromide, dichlorvos, drinking
anticoagulant rodent baits) for seed protection have been lost without the development of adequate substitutes. New
research on seed protection in the CR using biological control (mite predators Cheyletus sp.), low pressure, modified
atmospheres, and hydrogen cyanide is overviewed.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medic) are the most important grain legumes
covering 21.3% of the total acreage (1.6 million ha) and 24.1% of production (23.2 millon tons) of
all pulse crops in Ethiopia (CSA 2012). They are grown by more than 1.7 million farmers; are major
staple food legumes and are a good source of dietary protein (17 %, 23%). These crops require low
input for production and can maintain and restore soil fertility (can fix up to 60 kg N /ha/year).
Moreover, they are high potential crops for domestic and export markets and considered to be
strategic crops for national food security and agricultural development in the country. Two different
types of seed supply systems, formal and informal (community seed production) are known in
Ethiopia. To date the majority chickpea and lentil producers obtain their seed for planting informally
from own saved seed or through local exchange. The informal seed system for chickpea and lentil
currently operates at the individual farmer or community level and depends on local knowledge of
plant and seed selection, sourcing, retaining and management, as well as local diffusion mechanisms.
It is, therefore, important to continually search for solutions to improve the availability of, access to
and use of quality seed required by farmers. In this paper, we provide an overview of community
seed production and delivery systems of chickpea and lentil operating in the country; review the
initiatives and document best approaches to improve the availability of improved quality seeds to
farmers in order to maximize productivity of these crops in Ethiopia.

Both secular and religious organisations have played major roles in the sectoral system of innovation of pineapple production and marketing in Kerala. This has been accomplished through aiding interaction with both the fresh fruit and the processed markets, providing access to and advice on bio-chemical inputs and pest control technologies and facilitating interaction between the farmers and other stakeholders in the sector. Over the past three decades, ‘knowledge’ leaders in the sector have shifted from religious leaders, to secular farmers’ representatives and scientific advisors, to corporate management and global consultants.

Despite the commercial success of ‘Vazhakulam pineapple’ in domestic fresh fruit markets, the lack of communication and trust between the farmers and research station on one side and the corporate processing units and government on the other has hindered successful access to processed and export markets. Major developments within the global sector threaten the continued livelihoods of the Keralite pineapple farmers and successful collaboration must result in ether strengthening of the market for ’Vazhakulam pineapple’ and/or in the adoption of a more export friendly variety along with the development of the necessary supporting infrastructure if Kerala is not only to keep its place as a leader in pineapple farming innovation but also to survive the future threat of cheaper fresh fruit imports from South-East Asia.

Jerusalem artichoke is a valuable source of inulin, a polysaccharide. Inulin is a sustainable source of dietary fiber that enhances the immune system in humans. Although Jerusalem artichoke can be propagated vegetatively, breeders use cross-fertilization to produce novel varieties and hybrids with higher inulin yields. Seed dormancy can hinder the breeding progress because dormancy reduces the number of generations a breeder can obtain in 1 year. Current methods for breaking seed dormancy are time consuming and usually involve removing or pin-pricking the seed coat of these very small seeds, or using several weeks of seed vernalization or several months of storage. Breeders thus require better methods that are less time consuming and achieve higher germination percentages. Here, we studied germination, dormant seed, dead seed, and the seedling growth rate of different Jerusalem artichoke genotypes and seed lots after seeds were treated with different methods to break seed dormancy. We evaluated fresh and stored seed lots using the following treatments: seed samples were planted on top of media moistened with either potassium nitrate, gibberellic acid, or distilled water as control. Two identical sets of samples were planted: one set was germinated in a chamber at alternate 15-25°C for 28 days, while the second set was pre-chilled at 5°C for 14 days, before moving the samples to the alternate 15-25°C chamber for 14 days. Our findings reveal that the highest germination percentage up to 85.3 % was obtained when applying pre-chill with gibberellic acid. This novel dormancybreaking treatment was thus effective in promoting fresh seed germination.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of storage containers (Tin container, plastic pot and earthen pot) on the quality (Moisture content, 1000 seeds weight and germination) of desh jute seed for two months storage at the Agronomic Laboratory, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhake-1207 during the period March to July, 2014. Desh jute seeds were stored with moisture level of 10.0% in ambient condition. Moisture content of the seeds of tin container was found increased significantly to 11.8% for initial moisture content 10.0%. Slowly decreasing of germination from 85.00 to 75.00% was observed in the seeds of tin container with lower moister content of 11.8% then that of plastic pot and earthen pot. Interaction effects were showed better performance with the container than the others i.e. plastic pot and earthen pot.

The cytoplasmic male sterile (mori) Brassica juncea carries unaltered mt genome of Moricandia arvensis, and the fertility restoration is gamatophytic, governed by a single nuclear gene. This fertility restorer gene locus is unique in that, it is capable of restoring male fertility in two other alloplasmic CMS systems of Brassica juncea. The present study validated the application of a linked marker for identifying the restorers in segregating populations, which can accelerate breeding of restorer lines and thus, enhance efficiency of hybrid breeding in Brassica juncea. Presence of the CMS-associated orf genes was detected only in the CMS line, while SCAR primers generated amplicons in the fertile plants. This marker can be used to test the purity of hybrids as an effective substitute to the time consuming and laborious grow-out test (GOT)

The pot experiments were carried out on grasspea in Rabi season during 2013 to 2014. The experiments were conducted to the effect of different types of priming (GA3, lemon juice and tamarind leaf extract) on germination, vigour and seedling parameters of grasspea seed. The experiments were done with cultivar, BARI grasspea-1 with three priming materials: gibberellin, lemon juice and tamarind leaf extract. During Rabi season 2013 to 2014, three concentrations of gibberellins (10, 20 and 30 ppm), three concentrations of lemon juice (2, 4 and 6 %), three concentrations of tamarind leaf extract (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15%) with two priming time duration: 6 hours and 12 hours with control. G2H6 gives height germination index but G1H12 is similar to G2H6 and T2H6 gives height speed of germination but G1H12 is similar to T2H6. G1H12 gives height vigour index and T3H12 gives height seedling dry metter but G1H12 is similar to T3H12. Priming in gibberellin 10 ppm for 12 hours is the best for grasspea.

Long-term storage of Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon seeds is es¬sential not only for continuous seedling production, but also for genetic conservation. In Dedza, Malawi Pinus kesiya seeds are collected in good production years, stored in sealed black polythene tubes at (4±1) °C and used thereafter for seedling production. However, information about the effect of conditions and period of storage on seed quality is scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the germination percentage (GP) and germination energy (GE) of Pinus kesiya seeds recently collected and after four and ten months after storage in sealed black polythene bags at the temperature of (4±1) °C, dried at 20%, 14%, 7% and 3% moisture content levels. The results shows there were significant (P<0.001) differences on both GP and GE among different moisture content levels. GP and GE increased with a decrease of moisture content up to 7%, then decline at 3% moisture content. Consequently, there were significant (P<0.001) differences on both GP and GE among storage period at 3% moisture content. GP and GE decreased with an increase of storage period. In contrast, there were no significant (P>0.05) differences on GP among the storage period at 20%, 14% and 7% moisture content levels. Similarly, no significant (P>0.05) differences were observed on GE during the first four months of storage at 20%, 14% and 7% moisture content levels. However, GE significantly declined by the tenth month. Highest GP of (96.6±2.1) %, (95.8±2.6) %, (95.2±2.8) % and GE of (78.3±2.2) %, (75.9±2.7) %, (60.2±2.7) % at 7% moisture content were obtained for 0, 4 and 10 months of storage respectively. Therefore, the present study recommends storage of Pinus kesiya seeds in sealed black polythene bags with a moisture content of 7% at (4±1) °C temperature in order to maintain the seed viability for a long period. Further studies are required to determine the pre-chilling period in order to maintain the high germination energy.

The objective of the present study was to establish a relationship between mericarps color and internal morphology of parsley with the germination, using sorting by coloration and the X-ray test. The completely randomized design was used, with four replications per treatment. The treatments were constituted of four lots (A, B, C and D) and three mericarps colors (green, yellow and black) in 4×3 factorial experiment. The mericarps were exposed to X-ray test (60s; 20kV), being used the digital equipment Faxitron X-ray, model MX-20 DC12 and then, the irradiated mericarps were submitted to the germination test. The yellow mericarps showed higher germination and speed germination index. The green mericarps showed deformations and impaired formation of embryo, while black and yellow mericarps showed up without deformation and with a well-formed embryo. We concluded that there is a relationship between parsley seed germination and mericarps color. Poorly formed embryos and misshapened seed coats are related to green mericarps.

Rocket salad is a leafy vegetable that has become a popular food in various regions of Brazil. Its multiplication is only possible with seeds and, therefore, high quality propagation material is necessary for establishing a good crop. Studies show that seed conditioning promotes physiological improvements in the speed and uniformity of seedling establishment in the field. The present work was carried out in order to verify the effect of priming on the performance of rocket salad seeds. Five seed lots of rocket salad, cultivar Cultivada, were primed for 24 hours, using the potentials of 0.0, -0.1, -0.2, -0.3MPa, in a polyethylene glycol (Carbonax 6000) solution. A completely randomized design with 20 treatments (5 seed lots × 4 potentials) was used, with four replications. Means were compared by Tukey’s test and regression analyses were conducted for the osmotic potential. The data showed that priming improved germination and the percentage of strong plants in relation to vigor

Priming is a technique applicable to seeds of various plant species; however, for soybean seed there is little available information correlating such technique to the storage fungi. The objective of this study was to assess hydropriming on soybeans seeds and correlate this technique to occurrence of such fungi. For this, soon after acquisition the soybean seeds, cv. M-SOY 7908 RR, were characterized by: moisture content, mechanical damage, viability (seed germination and seedling emergence) and seed health. A completely randomized experimental design was used with treatments arranged into a factorial scheme 2 × 2 [2 levels of incidence of storage fungi (low and high) × 2 hydropriming (with and without) ]. After application of treatments, the seeds were analyzed by: moisture content, viability (seed germination and seedling emergence) and vigor (first count and accelerated aging). The hydropriming is beneficial to improve the quality of soybean seeds with low incidence of storage fungi, with increments on speed germination (first count) and seed germination after accelerated aging test. The high incidence of microorganisms can reduce the hydropriming benefits.

The pot experiments were carried out on chickpea in Rabi season during 2012 to 2013. The experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of GA3, lemon juice and tamarind leaf extract on germination and vigor of chickpea seed. The experiments were done with cultivar, BARI Chola-6 with three growth regulators: gibberellin, lemon juice and tamarind leaf extract. During Rabi season 2012 to 2013; three concentrations of gibberellins (10, 20 and 30 ppm), three concentrations of lemon juice (2, 4 and 6 %), three concentrations of tamarind leaf extract (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.15%) with two soaking time duration: 6 hours and 12 hours with control. Gibberellin (GA3) with 6 hours improves germination percentage, seedlings length, dry matter, germination index and vigor index of chickpea.

ABSTRACT Chemical treatment of navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed exposed to prolonged wet, humid weather prior to harvest improved germination more in cold and warm soil tests than in standard warm germination tests at all levels of quality between 56 and 97% germination. However, performance in all tests was improved by seed treatment, especially at lower quality levels. There was no consistent increase in performance after six weeks of storage under warm laboratory conditions. Both laboratory germination and field emergence were improved by most combinations and concentrations of seed treatment chemicals.

The objective of the present study was to establish a relationship between mericarps color and internal morphology of parsley with the germination, using sorting by coloration and the X-ray test. The completely randomized design was used, with four replications per treatment. The treatments were constituted of four lots (A, B, C and D) and three mericarps colors (green, yellow and black) in 4×3 factorial experiment. The mericarps were exposed to X-ray test (60s; 20kV), being used the digital equipment Faxitron X-ray, model MX-20 DC12 and then, the irradiated mericarps were submitted to the germination test. The yellow mericarps showed higher germination and speed germination index. The green mericarps showed deformations and impaired formation of embryo, while black and yellow mericarps showed up without deformation and with a well-formed embryo. We concluded that there is a relationship between parsley seed germination and mericarps color. Poorly formed embryos and misshapened seed...

A rúcula é uma hortaliça folhosa que tem ganhado espaço na oferta de alimentos em várias regiões do Brasil. Sua multiplicação se dá unicamente por sementes e, sendo assim, torna-se imperioso o uso de material propagativo de alta qualidade para a implantação da lavoura. Estudos mostram que o condicionamento fisiológico de sementes promove melhorias na velocidade e na uniformidade do estabelecimento de plântulas no campo. Assim, o presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de verificar o efeito do condicionamento osmótico sobre o desempenho de sementes de rúcula. Cinco lotes da cultivar Cultivada, foram submetidas ao condicionamento osmótico por 24 horas, utilizando-se os potenciais osmóticos de 0,0, -0,1, -0,2, -0,3 MPa, obtidas através de solução de Polietilenoglicol (Carbonax 6000). Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 20 tratamentos (5 lotes × 4 potenciais osmóticos) e quatro repetições. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey e análises de regressão para os potencias osmóticos. Os dados mostraram que o condicionamento osmótico provocou melhoria na germinação e na percentagem de plantas fortes em termos de vigor

A rúcula é uma hortaliça folhosa que tem ganhado espaço na oferta de alimentos em várias regiões do Brasil. Sua multiplicação se dá unicamente por sementes e, sendo assim, torna-se imperioso o uso de material propagativo de alta qualidade para a implantação da lavoura. Estudos mostram que o condicionamento fisiológico de sementes promove melhorias na velocidade e na uniformidade do estabelecimento de plântulas no campo. Assim, o presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de verificar o efeito do condicionamento osmótico sobre o desempenho de sementes de rúcula. Cinco lotes da cultivar Cultivada, foram submetidas ao condicionamento osmótico por 24 horas, utilizando-se os potenciais osmóticos de 0,0, -0,1, -0,2, -0,3 MPa, obtidas através de solução de Polietilenoglicol (Carbonax 6000). Utilizou-se o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com 20 tratamentos (5 lotes × 4 potenciais osmóticos) e quatro repetições. As médias foram comparadas pelo teste de Tukey e análises de regressão para os potencias osmóticos. Os dados mostraram que o condicionamento osmótico provocou melhoria na germinação e na percentagem de plantas fortes em termos de vigor.

A field experiment was conducted at the research field of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, during the period from November 2012 to April 2013 to investigate the effect of seed tuber size and harvesting time on morpho-physiological characters, yield attributes and yield of potato. The experiment comprised of four different size of seed tubers viz., 28-<45 mm, 20-<28 mm,    10-<20 mm and <10 mm and four harvesting time viz., 70 days after planting (DAP), 80 DAP, 90 DAP and 100 DAP. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design factorial with three replications. The growth parameters such as stems hill-1, leaves hill-1, tuber yield plot-1, marketable yield plot-1 and tuber yield ha-1 were significantly influenced by seed tuber size and harvesting time. Results revealed that in general, plant height, stems hill-1 increased with increasing seed tuber size but yield attributes and yield increased with 28-<45 mm  tuber size. The highest tuber yield hectare was recorded in the tuber size of 28-<45 mm due to increased of tubers hill-1 and tuber yield plot-1. In contrast, the lowest tuber yield ha-1 was recorded in the smaller seed tuber of <10 mm. Results showed that stems and leaves hill-1 and tubers hill-1, single tuber weight and tuber weight plot-1 increased with increasing time of harvest upto 90 DAP. The highest number of stems and leaves hill-1, tubers hill-1, single tuber weight and tuber weight plot-1 were observed in the harvesting time 90 DAP and the lowest in harvesting time 70 DAP. However, the highest gross tuber yield ha-1 was observed in the harvesting time 90 DAP and the lowest was recorded in 70 DAP. For combined effect of seed tuber size and harvesting time, the highest gross tuber yield was observed in the treatment combination of 20-<28 mm seed tuber with the harvesting time of 90 DAP which was economically adventitious.