Browsing by Author "Mkwachu,Seif Omari"

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Influence of seed storage practices on germination, growth, and yield of Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verde].
(Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2003) Mkwachu,Seif Omari
Two experiments were conducted at Sokoine University of Agriculture to assess the influence of storage containers, seed shells and priming treatment on germination, growth and final seed yield of bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verde.]. Good quality seeds with germination of 95% were stored unshelled and shelled using germination test was conducted as per ISTA methods after priming seeds stored in different containers by soaking for 24 hours, wetting prior to germination with dry germination as the control. The results indicated that germination percentage was decreased in seeds stored in various containers and primed by different treatments. Storing seeds unshelled gave the higher germination of 10.07% compared to those stored after shelling which gave germination of 6.34%. Significant differences (P < 0.05) between storing in different containers were observed. Shelled seeds stored in deep freezer were the best in germination (27%) followed by unshelled seeds stored in basket and hanged over the fireplace (21.94%). Seeds stored in plastic bucket were the least with only 1.45% germination. Also container differences in maintaining 100 seed weight, seed moisture content and proportion of carbohydrate in food reserve was observed. Germination percentage was positively correlated to 100 seed weight (r = 0.88**) and to proportion of carbohydrate in seed food reserve (r = 0.51”3) but correlated negatively to seed moisture content after storage (r = -0.47ns). Strong negative correlation was recorded between seed moisture content and proportion of carbohydrate in seed food reserve (r = -0.93**). This study has shown that differences seven different storage containers for a period of six months. After sixth months, in seed quality induced by different storage containers have major effects only on germination and mean relative growth rate at early growth stages. No significant differences in mean relative growth rate at later growth stages and partitioning coefficients of plants from surviving seeds were observed. Soaking bambara groundnut seeds for in water 24 hours significantly accelerated germination and early seedling growth. No significant differences in yield were observed between priming treatments tested. Based on the results in this study, storing of unshelled bambara groundnut seeds in jute bags or woven basket and hanged over the fireplace is recommended. However, further study is recommended to assess the role of pod drying methods in seed deterioration during storage