Changes in seed and seedling quality attributes of six rapeseed-mustard genotypes under different storage containers...

In the situations of storage of seeds for next season's sowing, the choice of storage containers as well as the duration play crucial roles in checking seed quality deterioration inside storage. The field performance of rapeseed-mustard genotypes has already been assessed by the researchers. However, the changes in seed and seedling quality attributes under various seed storage containers and durations have been rarely explored. Therefore, the study aimed to ascertain the changes in quality parameters of the newly produced seeds from plants of six rapeseed-mustard genotypes under varied storage containers and durations. A two-year laboratory experiment was conducted in 2018 and 2019 at the Department of Seed Science and Technology laboratory, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, India, using a triplicated factorial completely randomized design. The seeds, specifically of the Pusa Bold mustard genotype, stored in aluminium foil for two months, registered relatively higher seed germination (97.26%), seedling growth, seed vigour index-I (1695.4) and seed vigour index-II (467.6). Additionally, it showed high soluble protein (21.08%), and α- amylase activities (24 h: 69.61 µg min^- 1 g^- 1; 48 h: 44.24 µg min^- 1 g^- 1). Besides, Anushka, the rapeseed genotype under aluminium foil for two months registered relatively higher oil content (46.29%) and lower electrical conductivity (1.22 µS m^-1g^- 1). Although freshly harvested seeds performed better, the seeds retained physiological, biochemical, and enzymatic qualities for up to 6 months of storage in aluminium foil. Therefore, storage of seeds of mustard genotype 'Pusa Bold' for up to 6 months in aluminium foil can be recommended for successful oilseed cultivation in the Indo-Gangetic plains of West Bengal. These results offer a practical and economical method for maintaining seed quality, lowering storage losses, and assuring improved crop establishment in succeeding growing seasons.