Efficacy of Mid-Storage Invigoration Treatments on Maintenance of Seed Quality in Rice

Abstract

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Mid-storage invigoration treatments in maintaining the seed quality of aged rice seeds of variety Jyothi during storage and to identify the most effective eco-friendly treatment for prolonging seed viability. The experiment was conducted at the Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur, Kerala, over a three-month storage period following five months of initial storage. The study was laid out in a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with seven treatments and four replications. The seeds were subjected to seven Mid-storage invigoration treatments: control(untreated),hydration-dehydration, neem oil(2 mL/Kg of seeds), neem cake (5 g/Kg of seeds),hydration-dehydration combined with neem oil (2 mL/Kg of seeds),hydration-dehydration combined with neem cake (5 g/ Kg of seeds) and neem oil (2 mL/ Kg of seeds) combined with neem cake( 5 g/Kg of seeds).Key seed quality parameters including germination percentage, mean germination time (MGT), seedling vigour indices (SVI and II), moisture content, and electrical conductivity (EC) were evaluated monthly and data were analysed using ANOVA followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Significant variations were observed among treatments. The combination of hydration-dehydration with neem oil recorded the highest germination (89.25%) and vigour indices (SVI I: 2159; SVI II: 2083) along with the lowest mean germination time (4.23 days) and electrical conductivity (0.667 dSm-1) indicating improved membrane integrity and metabolic activity. Treatments involving hydration-dehydration alone and neem oil alone also maintained superior seed vigour compared to the untreated control. All treatments maintained safe moisture levels below 12%, reflecting effective storage stability. The results demonstrate that Mid-storage invigoration treatments, particularly the combination of hydration-dehydration and neem oil effectively mitigated deterioration and enhanced vigour of five-month -old seeds. These eco-friendly, low-cost treatments provide a sustainable approach to improving rice seed longevity and storability over a long period of time.