Comparison of the Storage Potential of French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and. Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L walp) Genotypes after Natural and Artificial Ageing

Abstract

Variation in the longevity ofFrench bean and cowpea secds under ambient (20-43°C) and accelerated ageing conditions
were studied in ten French bean and five cowpea lines differing in seed size and seed coat colour. Significant differences
in the storability among the genotypes, storage periods and the interaction genotype and storage periods were observed.
Germination%age in the various French bean genotypes ranged from 0-67 % after 15 months of storage under
ambient conditions and by·30 months most genotypes were dead. In cowpea all genotypes, except Ie 45409, retained
germination values ranging from 66 to 96% after 3 years of storage under ambient conditions. Seed germination
after accelerated aging was positively correlated with that afternatural ageing under ambient conditions and negatively
with seed weight. Under ambient storage conditions French beans are poor storers as compared to cowpeas.