Journal of Experimental Agriculture International

Rice is an important staple crop which provides essential dietary nutrients for the well being of humans but the seeds lose viability rapidly in storage before the next planting season. This study was conducted at the seed and pathology laboratories in CSIR-Crops Research Institute (Fumesua) to determine the physiological seed quality responses of three rice varieties to different storage materials under ambient conditions. The experiment was set up in 3x4 factorial arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications under ambient conditions. Factor one was variety of rice at three levels (Agra, Amankwatia and Jasmine) and factor two was packaging materials at four levels (plastic bucket, single-layered nylon sack, un-layered nylon sack and double-layered nylon sack). Moisture content, vigour, vigour index, germination percentage and health test were the major parameters determined before and after the experiment. Results indicated that all the varieties stored in the un–layered packaging materials recorded the highest moisture content of 13.2%. Rice seeds in single-layer nylon sack had the best germination percentage (98%), seed vigour (48.04) and vigour index (20689) whereas seeds stored in un-layered nylon sack had the least germination percentage (84%), vigour (37), and vigour index (13193). Un-layered packaging materials recorded the highest population of Sitophilus oryzae while plastic Bucket storage material recorded the least insect infestation. Twelve fungal pathogens were identified in total, of which nine were pathogenic and three saprophytic. The study concluded that to ensure good quality of rice seeds, rice seeds should be stored in single layered packaging materials for three month under ambient condition.