Physiology of desiccated seeds of onion (Allium cepa L.) during storage
Savita Khattra, Poonam Kakkar and Gurmit Singh
Proceedings of 26th International Horticultural Congress. Volume of Abstract . Toronto, Canada, 11-17 August, 2002. Abstract S09-P-14. pp. 551.
2002
บทคัดย่อ
Effect of extreme desiccation of onion (Allium cepa L. cv. Pb. Selection) seeds and various packagings was studies in order to standardize lower most safer (non-injurious) moisture level & packaging materials for long- & medium- term storage; to assess the injuries (if any) in these seeds during storage due to desiccation. The seeds were desiccated from 9 to 5 & 3.8% moisture content over calcium chooride. Desiccation of seeds from 9 to 3.8% seed moisture had no immediate injurious effect on % seed germination, root/shoot length, seedling dry weight, electrolyte leakage and % abnormal seedlings. During storage at room temperature seeds with 9% moisture showed a reductio in their germination earlier when stored in paper bags whereas seeds stored in other packagings at this moisture showed a slightly higher % germination at comparable time intervals up to 18 months of storage. Desiccated seeds at 5% and 3.8% seed moisture maintained a significantly higher % germinatiio in polyester, aluminum and polyethylene pouches th at the non-desiccated seeds (9%). Polyester and aluminum packaging materials showed better results with higher germination capacity of the seeds and seedling dyr wt. Seedlings raised from seeds at 9% moisture showed a higher loss in their dry wt. As compared to those raised from seeds at 5% 3.8%seeds moisture. However, the seed desiccation had no effect on the electrical conductance. Total solubl sugar content of the seeds increased with progressive storage at all the moisture levels and packagings, however,the % increased was higher in non-desiccated seeds (9%) as compared to the desiccated seeds (5 and 3.8%). Seeds packed in aluminum and polyester showed less accumulation of soluble sugar as compared to paper and polyethylene pouches. The seeds with 5% 3.8% moisture showed less accumulation of the free radicals of the free radicals (in terms of malondialdehyde content).