Influence of Pre-Sowing Seed Priming and Packaging Materials on the Quality of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Seeds

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of seed priming on seed quality of freshly harvested sesame seeds stored in different packaging materials. During 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 different pre-sowing seed priming treatments were adopted for seed production. Freshly harvested seeds were packed in aluminum foils, plastic packets, brown paper packets and cloth bags; and stored under ambient condition to monitor the deterioration pattern of seed quality during 2018-19 and 2019-2020. Germination (%), vigour index, electrical conductivity and α-amylase activity were evaluated at 2 months interval up to 8 months of storage. The results showed that among the packaging materials evaluated aluminum foil can be used for longer period with least deterioration. Among the treatments, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.2 MPa, followed by KNO3 @ 50 mM and KH2PO4 @ 200 mM treatments gave high quality seeds in terms of germination, vigour index and electrical conductivity. Therefore, seed priming of sesame seeds with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 @ -0.2 MPa may be done to produce high quality seeds which can be safely stored in aluminum foil.