Enhancing Storability of Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) Seeds under Ambient Conditions by Reducing Seed Moisture Content using Silica Gel.

Abstract

The storage of vegetable seeds after harvest till next planting time assumes prime importance for successful breeding and seed production programmes since the seed viability and vigour in storage are regulated by many physico-chemical factors. Therefore, experiments were carried out to study the possibility of enhancing storability of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) seeds using silica gel under ambient conditions at the Department of Vegetable Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Coimbatore during 2017-2018 using seeds of ridge gourd variety CO1. The experimental design was Factorial Complete Randomized Block Design with four replications. Factor 1 included 3 levels of moisture content viz., 9% (shade dried fresh seeds), 6% and 4% (dried using Silica gel). Factor 2 included 4 different packing materials viz., Aluminum foil (polylined), polyethylene cover (500 gauge), polyethylene cover (700 gauge) and cloth bag and stored for 15 months under ambient temperature. The results showed that during “0” storage period the seeds with 6% moisture content packed in polythene cover of 500 gauge thickness recorded a higher germination percentage (74%), vigour Index I and II (3142.2 and 71 respectively). During 3 months, the Vigour Index II (49) was higher in seeds with 6% moisture content packed in polythene cover of 500 gauge thickness. During 6 months, seeds with 4%moisture content packed in polythene cover of 500 gauge thickness recorded higher germination percentage (57%) andVigour Index I (2111.85). During 9 months, the seeds with 4% moisture content packed in Aluminium foil registered higher germination percentage (88%) and Vigour Index II (91.68). It can be inferred that the seeds packed in aluminum foil (polylined) expressed the highest germination percentage (88%) and vigour index II (91.68) up to 9 months. Desiccated seeds stored in moisture impervious containers produced more vigourous seedlings. Thus, adoption of appropriate moisture level and packing materials would significantly increase the storability of ridge gourd seeds under ambient conditions.