Physiological and Genetic Integrity of Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) Seeds During Storage

摘要

The longevity of seeds in storage is a good indicator of seed quality and vigour in many crops. This study examined the physiological and genetic integrity of nineteen amaranth accessions during storage. Seeds of each accession were subjected to Artificial Ageing (AA) in an oven at 45°C and 80% RH for 3, 6, 24, 27, 48, 51 and 72 h for viability and vigour tests. Also, the seeds were placed in a cotton bag and kept in a seed store, under ambient conditions for 6 months. Stored seeds were tested for viability and vigour at 30 day interval. Furthermore, electrophoresis analysis was conducted on seeds of three accessions to investigate the total protein bands after AA and ambient storage for 6 months. The result revealed that after 3 months of storageunder ambient conditions, viability and vigour reduced from 41.67-28.25% and 2.37-0.66%, respectively. Seeds progressively declined in viability and vigour after 24-27 h of ageing from 28.42-2.89% and 1.54-0.12%, respectively. Accession NG/AO/11/08/123 had the best storage potentials (P_(50) = 24 h) and (P_(50) = 150 days) under ambient storage conditions. In accessions (NG/AO/08/123 and NG/AO/09/024), intensity of profile staining was optimal at 24 h ageing maintained profile intensity for the 72 h. These periods correspond between 30 and 60% germination and vigour index of 2.3, suggesting that Amaranth seeds begin to lose genetic integrity when germination capacity is below 40%. Storage under ambient conditions should not exceed 3 months for best performance of amaranth seeds.