Pre-Seed Storage Hydration-Dehydration Treatment with Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Leaf Extract to Improve the Seed Viability During Storage in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cv. Morden

摘要

Studies were carried out to evaluate the effect of chicory leaf extract as pre storage seed treatment on physiological and biochemical properties related to vigour and viability in sunflower (Helianthus annuus. L.). The seeds obtained from Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai were cleaned and dried to uniform moisture content (9 +/- 0.25%) and hydration-dehydration treatments with 10, 20 and 25% chicory leaf extract along with water were imposed, dried back to original moisture content and stored in gada cloth bag along with control for 12 months under ambient condition (mean temp. 27 +/- 1 degrees C; RH 66 +/- 2%). Treated seeds were evaluated through physiological (germination per cent, speed of germination, dry matter production) and biochemical properties (electrical conductivity, leachate aminoacids, lipid peroxidation and peroxidase), treatment with 20% chicory leaf extract was found to be best in improving the seed storability. The magnitude of reduction in respect of the physiological and biochemical parameters were more in control and the least in chicory extract treated seeds.