Low seed moisture and polythene packaging improve storability of seed paddy

Rapid loss of seed germination and vigor during storage is a common problem faced by rice farmers and seed producers. Present study investigated the influence of packing material and seed moisture content (SMC) at packing on seed germination and vigor during storage in rice. Seeds of three popular improved rice varieties were stored in polythene and poly-sack (woven polyethylene) with 11% and 13% SMC at packing. Standard seed germination (SSG), glasshouse seedling emergence (GSE) and seed vigor as measured by field emergence (FE) were recorded at monthly intervals in storage. Seed germination and vigor could be maintained unchanged for the longest duration in polythene at 11% SMC. In Bg 300, SSG remained unchanged for 11 months, GSE for >11 months and FE for 10 months. In Bg 352 and Bg 358, SSG remained the same for eight months, GSE for 10 months and FE for nine months. Therefore, polythene is a better alternative to poly-sack which is the commonly used material at present and SMC 11% is better than 13% for storage of seed paddy in polythene.