Performance of neem products on the storability of mungbean[Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] seeds

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out in laboratory of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh from August, 2013 to June, 2015, wherein two kg of freshly harvested quality seed of mungbean cv. GM 4 having high germination percentage and low moisture content (below 8%) was taken for each repetition and given the treatments. The experiment was carried out using completely randomized design (CRD). After proper mixing or smearing, seeds were packed in 500 gauge polythene bags and kept in laboratory under ambient condition. Observations were recorded at bimonthly interval on germination (%), root length (cm), shoot length (cm), seedling dry weight (g), seed vigour index I, seed vigour index II and seed moisture content (%). The results indicated that all the treatments exhibited significant difference for all the traits studied except shoot length after two years of storage. The Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards in mungbean for germination percentage is 75 per cent. Looking to the germination percentage and Seed vigourindex I and II, among all the treatments, T1 (Neem Seed kernel powder @ 5 g/kg seed), T2 (Neem seed kernel powder @ 10 g/kg seed), T3 (Neem Cake @ 5g/kg Seed) and T4 (Neem Cake @ 10g/kg Seed) recorded the higher values for these traits and can be recommended as a seed treatment before storage for maintaining the seed germination and seedling vigour for more than two years.