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Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences - Vol. 12, No. 3

Publication Date: June 25, 2024

DOI:10.14738/dafs.123.16901.

Okelola, F. S., Lawal, I. T., & Adebisi, M. A. (2024). Assessment of Seed Storability Attributes of Selected Nigerian Rice Varieties Under

Ambient Conditions in Guinea Savannah Ecology. Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 12(3). 29-40.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Assessment of Seed Storability Attributes of Selected Nigerian

Rice Varieties Under Ambient Conditions in Guinea Savannah

Ecology

Okelola, F. S.

National Agricultural Seeds Council,

Lokoja – Abuja Highway, Sheda, FCT, Abuja

Lawal, I. T.

Department of Crop and Animal Science,

Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, P.M.B. 1066, Oyo State, Nigeria

Adebisi, M. A.

Department of Plant Breeding and Seed Technology,

Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P.M.B. 2240, Ogun State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Temperature and seed moisture content are the two most important factors which

influence longevity of seeds in storage. Freshly harvested seeds of the 22 varieties

of Nigerian cultivated rice varieties grown during 2017 cropping year at the

National Agricultural Seeds Council, Abuja, a guinea savannah environment of

Nigeria. Seed lot of each variety were stored under ambient humid conditions of the

Seed Processing and Storage complex in NASC, Abuja Nigeria. Two factors were

evaluated i.e. 22 cultivars and six storage durations (0, 60,120,180,240 and 300

days). Harvested and cleaned seeds were stored under ambient storage conditions

(28 - 31oC ± 1; 70 – 72% RH) for 300 days using CRD in three replicates. The stored

seeds were drawn every 60 days and tested for seed quality and longevity

attributes. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance and means were

separated using Tukey’s HSD at 5% probability level. Pearson’s correlation

coefficient and principal component analyses were also used. PROBIT analysis was

done on seed longevity. PROBIT modeling showed that seeds retained its viability,

irrespective of storage time, and had very low varietal deterioration. PROBIT

modeling predicted that FARO 22 and FARO 57 can be stored with good seed storage

conditions for an average of 51 and 45 months, respectively, before they start

deteriorating.

Keywords: seed deterioration, storage, probit, rice seed, seed quality.

INTRODUCTION

Seed storage is the preservation of seed under controlled environmental condition that

maintains seed viability for long period (Kameswara, 2006). High temperature, ambient

relative humidity and seed moisture content are main factors influencing seed storage capacity

(Abdul-Baki, 1980).

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Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences (DAFS) Vol 12, Issue 3, June- 2024

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Temperature and seed moisture content are the two most important factors which influence

longevity of seeds in storage. The two factors are, however, inter-related, the higher the value

of either the faster the rate of deterioration and consequently loss of seed viability. The two

rules based on temperature and moisture applies independently. Seed deterioration is also

described as an unavoidable process, though it is possible to retard the process of ageing

through optimum seed storage (Delouche, 1973). High quality seeds should be stored since

seed storage does not improve seed quality but maintains it. When seeds deteriorate, they tend

to lose vigour and become more sensitive to stress upon germination and eventually lose the

ability to germinate.

Storability of seeds is mainly a genetically regulated character and is influenced by quality of

the seed at the time of storage, pre-storage history of seed (environmental factors during pre- and post-harvest stages), moisture content of seed or ambient relative humidity, temperature

of storage environment, duration of storage and biotic agents (Khatun et al., 2009; Biabani et

al., 2011). Damage of seed during storage is inevitable (Balesevic-Tubic et al., 2005). These

environmental conditions are very difficult to maintain during storage. The seed storage

environment highly influences the period of seed survival. After planting of deteriorated seeds,

seedling emergence may be poor and transmission of pathogens to the new crop may occur.

Lower temperature and humidity result in delayed seed deteriorative process and thereby

leads to prolonged viability period (Mohammadi et al., 2011). Hence this study was conducted:

1) to investigate the storability potential of these rice varieties under ambient humid condition

of guinea savannah ecology, and 2). to estimate seed storage life of these rice varieties stored

under ambient humid conditions after 300 days of storage using PROBIT modeling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seed Materials and Sources

Freshly harvested seeds of the 22 varieties of Nigerian cultivated rice varieties grown during

2017 cropping year at the National Agricultural Seeds Council, Abuja, a guinea savannah

environment of Nigeria.

Seed Preparation Before Storage

Clean seeds of these varieties were tested for moisture content and moisture content was

regulated to 10.5 -11% using halogen moisture tester (model). Seed of the 22 varieties were

tested for the following attributes as initial quality attributes; Seed germination, Seedling

Length (shoot + root), Seedling Vigour Index Each trait was determined following the

procedures outlined by ISTA (1995).

Experimental Site and Storage Conditions

Seed lot of each variety were stored under ambient humid conditions of the Seed Processing

and Storage complex in National Agricultural Seeds Council, Abuja Nigeria. The temperature

and relative humidity of the storage conditions were monitored during the storage period.

Experimental Design and Treatments

The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with three replicates. Two factors

were evaluated i.e. 22 cultivars and six storage durations (0, 60,120,180,240 and 300 days).

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Okelola, F. S., Lawal, I. T., & Adebisi, M. A. (2024). Assessment of Seed Storability Attributes of Selected Nigerian Rice Varieties Under Ambient

Conditions in Guinea Savannah Ecology. Discoveries in Agriculture and Food Sciences, 12(3). 29-40.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/dafs.123.16901

Seed Packaging, Storage and Duration

A 200 gramme seed of each variety was placed inside moisture proof polyethylene bags of 20

by15 cm dimension and then sealed and arranged on a pallet in the seed store with protective

wire net against store rodents. Packaged seed lots were stored for 360 days and seed samples

were taken every 60 days for physiological quality determination.

Seed Quality Determination

Seed samples were drawn at 60days interval (0, 60,120,180,240 and 300days) for a period of

300 days and were subjected to the following quality tests:

Seed Viability (%):

Germination test was used to determine this trait according to ISTA (1995) procedure. Fifty

seeds of each cultivar in three replicates were placed in a Petri dish moistened with filter paper

and then arranged in an incubator regulated to 20-25oC. Germinated (viable seeds) count was

determined at 3 and 8 days after sowing. Percentage of viable seeds was computed thus;

Seed Viability (%) = Number of Viable Seeds

Number of Seeds Sown

x 100

Seedling Shoot Length (cm):

Ten normal seedlings were randomly selected and their root length were measured in

centimeter.

Coleoptile Length (cm):

Length of ten randomly selected seedlings were used to determine the coleoptiles length.

Number of Roots Per Seedling:

Average number of roots from ten randomly selected seedling were counted and recorded.

Seed Storage Life (longevity):

Mean percentage values derived from seed viability test was used to estimate seed storage life

according to the procedure of Roberts (1973) as reported by Adebisi et al. 2008).

Statistical Analysis

Data obtained for each character were subjected to 2-way Analysis of Variance and significant

treatments means were separated at 5% probability level using SPSS Statistical package

(version 25). Seed storage life (Seed longevity estimation) was carried out using PROBIT

modeling as outlined by Roberts using SASTM PROC. PROBIT parameters sorted the data by

cultivars and storage time (month). Seed longevity parameters were estimated from the

procedure based on seed viability test data. PROBIT estimates of rate of extermination (δ) and

time taken for seed ageing to decline to 50% (P50) was estimated by the PROBIT Procedure for

each seed lot. Seed storage life was estimated as half-life (P50) value multiplied by 2 then divided

by 30 days of a month (Robert, 1973).