STORABILITY OF RICEBEAN SEEDS
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Abstract
Storability of ricebean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi) seed was studied over a S year
period under ambient and +SoC temperature. 12 genotypes of the 1991 season differing in seed
characteristics namely seed size and coat pigmentation were chosen for the study. Both storage
environment and genotype affected seed germination, seedling vigour and storability. At ambient
temperature vigour and viability declined gradually during the 3-3.5 year storage period. Thereafter
the decline was somewhat abrupt. At SoC there was no significant decline in the seed viability.
Different accessions differed in their storability. Seedling vigour and storability was related to seed
size. Bold seeds and those with dark seed coats deteriorated slowly during storage than small and
light coat colour seeds. Accessions with lighter seed coat colour showed higher leachate conductivity
and water uptake.