Improving seed longevity of maize (Zea mays L.) through desiccation and packaging materials
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Date
2021
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Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
Abstract
The present study entitled “Improving seed longevity of maize (Zea mays L.) through desiccation and packaging materials” was conducted during 2020-21. The seeds collected four months after harvest were desiccated to different moisture levels i.e., 12, 10 and 8% followed by storage in different packaging bags viz., laminated polypropylene bags, non- aminated polypropylene bags and polyethylene bags. Seeds with 12% moisture content stored in cloth bags served as control. Seeds of different treatments were stored under ambient conditions for 12 months. Physiological parameters were observed at monthly intervals and biochemical parameters were observed at three months interval during storage period. Germination percentage, seedling dry weight, seedling vigour index I and II and speed of germination decreased with increase in storage period; whereas electrical conductivity and mean germination time recorded a gradual increase with increased storage duration irrespective of different seed storage treatments. It was observed that seeds stored in laminated polypropylene bags and non-laminated polypropylene bags, polyethylene bags as well as cloth bags maintained the germination above 90% up to 13 months and thus complied IMSCS. Gradual decrease in germination was recorded with increase in seed storage duration and no seed storage treatment could maintain germination above IMSCS after 13 months of seed storage. The seed moisture content recorded fluctuations in accordance with relative humidity present in environment in all the packaging materials
but greater fluctuation was observed in seeds stored in cloth bags and polypropylene bags as compared to seeds stored in polyethylene bags. Various food reserves viz., sucrose, starch content, oil and total soluble proteins decreased with increase in storage period; while total free amino acids increased with increase in seed storage duration. There was gradual decrease in α-amylase activity with increase in seed storage duration irrespective of the seed storage treatments. Antioxidant enzymes viz., superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase also recorded gradual decrease in their activities in all the packaging materials with increased seed storage duration. Protein profiling indicated that the intensity
of electrophoretic bands corresponding to polypeptides of molecular weight 44 and 52 kDa was higher in fresh seeds as compared to 15 months old seeds stored in various packaging treatments. The present study suggests that polypropylene bags either laminated or non-laminated can be used as cost effective and durable packaging materials instead of cloth bags and polyethylene bags owing to their lesser cost and higher flexural strength.
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Sukhpreet Kaur (2021). Improving seed longevity of maize (Zea mays L.) through desiccation and packaging materials (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.