Impact of Specific Gravity Separation and Packaging Materials on Seed Quality Attributes in Paddy (Oryza sativa L.)

摘要

Paddy seed crop was produced in two consecutive years during kharif 2009 and 2010 seasons, which was first subjected to screen cleaner-cum-grader and further to specific gravity separator. The seeds so obtained were assessed for seed quality parameters immediately after seed processing. Thereafter, these were stored in high density polyethylene (HDPE) and jute bag packaging up to next planting season. The seed quality parameters were also assessed before next planting season. Though screen processed seed showed superiority in the performance of all the seed quality parameters over the unprocessed seeds, yet specific gravity separation showed significant improvement in quality parameters over the performance of screen processed seeds. Only 6% reductionin seed recovery was observed after specific gravity separation in both the years, but the germination improved by 7.5 to 10%, physical purity by 3 to 5%, field emergence by 10 to 12%, test weight by 0.08 to 0.06 g and vigour index by 221 to 294, in twoyears of study, respectively. Further the HDPE packaging of these seeds maintained their quality parameters for a period of 12 months by exhibiting only 3 to 4% loss in germination and field emergence over the fresh initial seed, otherwise, which declined to 11 to 27% in jute bag packaging.