Influence of Artificial Ageing on Seed Quality of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum L.) germplasm

Abstract

Seed quality plays an important role in the crop establishment and overall performance of the crop. Keeping in view, the importance of quality seed, the present research entitled “Influence of artificial ageing on seed quality of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graecum L.) germplasm” was carried out in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (U.P.) during, the year 2024-2025. The experimental material the present research comprised of four genotypes of fenugreek viz. RMT-361, RMT-303, GM-1 and AFG-4, with four seed lots of each genotype including 24 hr. aged seed, 48 hr. aged seed, 72 hr. aged seed and 96 hr. aged seed lot. In the experiment, all the four seed lots of each four genotypes were tested for various physiological basis for loss in viability. It was observed that, test weight (g), seed density (g/cc), standard germination (%), seedling length (cm), dry weight per seedling (mg), vigour index-I & II, viability (%), speed of emergence, seedling establishment (%) decreased whereas, mean emergence time (days) increased with ageing period. The seed of each genotype sustain their germination up to 48 hr. aged seed thereafter, the germination fall below IMSCS (70 %). After ageing maximum germination was retained by genotype RMT-361 followed by, GM-1 and maximum loss of germination was observed in genotype AFG-4, hence the genotype RMT-361 was good storer whereas genotype AFG-4 was poor storer under ambient condition.