Influence of seed extraction methods on seed quality in cucumber (cucumis sativus) cv. Pant Shankar Khira-1

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out with the objective to study the influence of seed extraction methods on seed quality in cucumber cv. Pant Shankar Khira-1 at Division of Seed Science and Technology, IARI, during summer and kharif season of the year 2011. The mature fruits were harvested from different growing environment viz. naturally ventilated poly house, insect proof net house and open field condition and subjected to nine different methods of seed extraction includes, Fermentation for 24 h (T1), Fermentation for 36 h (T2), Fermentation for 48 h (T3), Acid (1% HCl) for 10 min (T4), Acid (1% HCl) for 20 min (T5), Acid (1% HCl) for 30 min (T6), Alkali (1% NaOH) for 10 min (T7), Alkali (1% NaOH) for 20 min (T8) and Alkali (1% NaOH) for 30 min (T9). Various seed quality parameters like germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, vigour indices, moisture content and electrical conductivity were observed in all the treatments. The experimental results revealed that the fermentation for 24 h (T1) has given high performance for seed quality among all treatments. However, in case of acid and alkali treatments as time of exposure increases the seed quality decreases. The seeds obtained from the fruits harvested from naturally ventilated poly house showed highest germination followed by insect proof net house and lowest found in open condition. The similar results were obtained in both the seasons.