Abstract
Seeds of 20 pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) genotypes were evaluated for seed longevity and vigour under humid ambient conditions. Cleaned seeds of each genotype were packed into a polyethylene bag, the packaged lot was electrically sealed and thereafter placed in a seed store under ambient conditions (30 ºC, RH 75 %). Seed samples were withdrawn at 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 days after storage for seed quality parameters evaluation. The experiment consisted of two factors which were genotype and storage duration and was a laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. Data were collected on rate of seed germination, seed viability, seedling length, seedlings fresh mass, seedlings dry mass and seedling vigour index. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant treatment means were separated using Tukey’s HSD test at 5 % probability level. PROBIT modelling was also used to predict the seed longevity of stored pigeon pea. Significant differences were observed in all seed quality attributes evaluated among the 20 pigeon pea genotypes and storage time except seedling fresh mass. Seed quality attributes decreased significantly with increasing storage periods. Genotypes NSWCC-18A, NSWCC-24, NSWC-34 and NSWCC-29A were identified to be superior for most of the seed quality attributes evaluated. PROBIT modelling result revealed that genotype NSWCC-29b had the highest storage life (16.28 months) and the highest storage potentials in terms of seed viability and other seed quality attributes of all seed lots.
Highlights
Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is one of the most common tropical and subtropical legumes cultivated for its edible seeds
The objectives of the study were to investigate the effect of storage duration on seed physiological quality attributes of pigeon pea genotypes stored under ambient humid tropical storage conditions, and estimate the storage life of 20 pigeon pea genotypes using PROBIT modelling techniques
For seed viability, the highest performance was found in NSWCC-24 (77 %) but not significantly different from NSWCC-18b, NSWCC-18A, NSWCC-7D, NSWCC-34A, NSWCC-29B, NSWCC-15, NSWCC-29A (6973 %) followed by NSWCC-18A (74 %) while the lowest performance were found in TCC-6, TCC-1, TCC-8, CITA-1, CITA-2 with range of 16 % - 24 %
Summary
Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is one of the most common tropical and subtropical legumes cultivated for its edible seeds. Though mainly cultivated for its edible seeds, pigeon pea can be considered a multipurpose species. Among other uses of pigeon pea, trials have shown a potential use as a raw material for paper pulp and contribute to the environment through its use in alley cropping and as a windbreak, cover crop, shade plant and green manure (Cook et al, 2005). Despite all these numerous benefits of the crop, it is still categorized as under-utilized crop in Nigeria and little information is available on seed quality potential after harvest and during storage
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