Antioxidants and polymer coating for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed longevity enhancement

Abstract

IntroductionTo explore the effect of polymer coating and antioxidants on the soybean seed quality enhancement by reducing the oxidation process, the experiment was carried out in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, PJTSAU, India. Method: Soybean seed of JS 335 was treated with four antioxidants at concentrations of 100 ppm, 300 ppm, and 500 ppm, either individually or in combination with polymer at 8 ml kg-1 seed and stored in airtight containers. Seed quality parameters like seed germination, seedling abnormality, seed mortality, seedling length, seedling dry weight, and Seedling Vigour Index 1 and 2 were measured at various months of storage period. Results: Polymer coating, either individually or in combination with antioxidants, showed a significant influence on soybean seed quality and longevity. Six months after storage, seeds treated with polymer + ascorbic acid at 100 ppm recorded significantly (p < 0.05) higher germination %, speed of germination and field emergence % (92, 40, and 85), followed by polymer + ascorbic acid at 300 ppm with a high seedling vigour index-2 (86) compared to untreated control (86, 35, 79, and 76, respectively). Seed treated with tocopherol at 300 ppm + polymer recorded higher seedling length (cm) and seedling vigour index-1 (24.73 and 2258) than control (17.49 and 1709, respectively). Among chemical antioxidants, ascorbic acid, followed by tocopherol and reduced glutathione, showed a good effect on soybean seed longevity. Conclusion: Soybean seed quality could be enhanced either with a polymer coating or with a polymer + antioxidant coating with ascorbic acid at 100 and 300 ppm.