EFFECTIVENESS OF DIFFERENT INVIGORATION TREATMENTS IN STORED SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) SEED FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF STORABILITY AND INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY

摘要

Seed invigoration treatments of Harvest fresh (one-month- old) sunflower (cv. Morden) seeds with finely powdered pharmaceutical formulations (aspirin at 50 mg/kg of seed; chemicals (common bleaching powder, active ingredient calcium hypochlorite, at 2 g/kg of seed; potassium nitrate at 50 mg/kg. of seed) and crude plant materials (finely powdered dry red hot chilli fruit and at 1 g/kg of seed; lemon leaf powder at 2 g/kg of seed) significantly slowed down seed deterioration than untreated control under the accelerated ageing (at 98% RH and 40°C temperature & 100% RH and 40°C) and natural ageing condition. Among treated and untreated seeds, aspirin gave better results in improving germination percentage and seedling vigour as measured by root and shoot length. The crop raised from the treated seeds showed significantly improved field performance and productivity over untreated control. Seed yield per m2. no. of filled seeds/head and 1000 seed weight were especially maximum in red chilli fruit powder, common bleaching powder and aspirin than treated and untreated seeds. On the basis of the results investigation, pre-storage dry treatments with aspirin @ 50 mg/kg. of seed, red chilli fruit powder @ 1 gm/kg of seed and lemon leaf powder @ 2 gm/kg of seed are suggested for the improvement of storability and field performance of stored high-vigour (freshly harvested) sunflower seed.