Performance of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) in different storage containers

Introduction

India is the agriculture land. Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) is important Rabi oilseed crop which belongs to family "Cruciferae". The oilseed plant of Brassica species is also called as rapeseed-mustard, which is the most important Rabi oilseed crop in agriculture. Mustard seeds play as crucial edible oilseed crops in worldwide. The term 'Rape' is derived from the Latin word 'rapum,' signifying turnip and the term 'Mustard' originates from the Latin 'must' or 'mustum,' denoting unfermented grape juice, and 'ardens,' meaning hot and burning (Ahlawat, 2008) [1] . India is the first position in area and second position in production after China. In India, it is cultivated in state of Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab and West Bengal are majorly growing of mustard in India (Sharma et al., 2020) [19] . In any agriculture field seed quality and the natural seed deterioration of stored seeds poses a significant scientific challenge of global concern. Various biotic and abiotic factors, including crop genotype, initial seed quality, storage containers, and storage conditions, contribute to seed deterioration under improper storage conditions. Among these factors, storage temperature and moisture content are pivotal, with moisture content usually exerting a more pronounced influence than temperature (Ray and Bordolui, 2022) [17] . For seed viability and seedling vigour significantly affect packaging container as well as storage (Rao et al., 2006; Chakraborty et al., 2020) [16,6] . In any agriculture field the seed quality is significantly impacts crop yield and productivity. The high quality of seeds are essential inputs that contribute to increased productivity and greater financial returns per unit area (Dutta, 2017; Hemming et al., 2018) [8,10] . The quality of seed require safe storage due to the temporal gap of six months or longer, between harvesting and subsequent sowing. The quality of seed and preservation during storage is play crucial role for maintaining acceptable levels of seed germination and vigour until sowing. The study of revealed that the influence of storage containers on quality of seed over time (Bortey et al., 2016; Moharana et al., 2017) [5,14] . The maintenance of seed quality during storage period is important as well as the crop production in throughout the year but also for the maintenance integrity of the seeds because of their constant threat and of genetic erosion.

In agriculture farmers face many problems regarding to storing seed. So, the present study was undertaken to identify the best container for storage mustard seed, (Brassica juncea) variety KRANTI.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted at the laboratories of Department of Botany, RTMNU, Nagpur and Govt. seed testing lab, Nagpur. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the mustard seed quality under different storage conditions. The seed of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.) variety KRANTI which was stored in four different storage condition i.e. tin container (C1), aluminium foil (C2), polythene bag (C3), and cloth bag (C4) and period of storage T 1 (0 day), T 2 (90 days), T 3 (180 days), T 4 (270 days), T 5 (360 days), T 6 (450 days) and T 7 (540 days) at the room temperature 18 months (540 days) at room temperature. Seeds were collected from Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Nagpur. Seeds were used for the moisture content, standard germination and speed of germination. The experiment was statistically analyzed by using factorial design CRD (Completely Randomized Design). The standard errors and critical differences between the parameters like mustard seed variety container and storage period were worked out at five per cent significance. During the storage period, seed samples were taken after three months (90 days) from each container for physiological observation of three parameters determination of moisture content, standard germination and speed of germination.

Determination moisture percentage

The standard method for determining moisture in seed was followed using hot air oven. The mustard seeds were finely ground was used for moisture determination. 5 gm of sample was weighed directly into the container. After weighing, the container with seeds (lid kept separately) was placed in the oven which has already been heated to the drying temperature. In this experiment the "low constant temperature method" was followed involving drying at 103 °C for 17 hours. The oven drops in temperature when the sample is placed in it and hence the drying period was counted from the moment only when oven regained the required temperature. At the end of drying period the container along with the lid was allowed to cool 30 to 45 minutes in desiccator and then it was weighed again. The moisture content in percentage was calculated as follows.

(Nema, 1986) [15] Where, M1=Weight of empty container with lid M2=Weight of container with lid and seed before drying M3= Weight of container with lid and seed after drying and cooling.

Determination of germination percentage

Standard germination procedure as described in the International Seed Testing Association Rules (Anonymous, 1985) [2] , were followed seeds varieties. Four replications of 100 seeds of respective kinds were kept between the folded moist towel papers. These were then placed in a tray positioned at a 45° inclination at constant temperature of 25 ± 0.5 °C and 85 ± 3% relative humidity in germination chamber. The first count was noted on 5 th day and final on 8 th day of germination. Only normal seedlings having characteristics laid down in I.S.T.A. (International Seed Testing Association) rules for testing seeds were taken in to account and abnormal and dead seeds were excluded. The percentage of germination was calculated by counting the number of normal seedlings to the total number of seeds put for germination.

Speed of Germination (Vigour index)

The speed of germination was calculated as per the procedure laid down in standard germination test on 1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th and 5 th day. The result of Seedling count was taken from second day onwards until completion of the test. Seeds with radicle and plumule protruding were counted and removed from the towel paper before the latter were returned to the seed germination. This practice of removing the germinated seedlings from towel papers was continued up to the end of that particular test. At the end of the test, the germination index was calculated. The number of germinated seedlings counted each day was divided by number of days to that count. The values obtained at each count are summed up to obtain the germination index (Maguire, 1962) [13] . n 1 , n 2 , n 3 , are number of seeds germinated in 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd days N-Germination Index

Results and Discussion

In the present study moisture contents of mustard seed stored in different containers have presented in table 1. The result showed that moisture percentage increased with increase in time period and seed moisture appeared significant difference after 540 days of storage. The initial moisture content of the seed was (10.23%) but after 18 months (540 days) it was increased with time period. In mustard variety KRANTI, Tin container, Aluminium foil, Polythene bag and Cloth bag showed fluctuations in moisture content of seeds during storage according to temperature and relative humidity of the atmosphere. A significant minimum fluctuation of moisture content was observed in Tin container. Seed stored in Tin container showed significantly lower moisture content (15.42%) as compared to those stored in Aluminium foil (16.62%), Polythene bag (17.46%) and Cloth bag (18.51%) up to 540 days (T 7 ) days of the storage. Among the containers Tin container showed significantly lower mean moisture content (13.55%) as compared to Aluminium foil (14.36%), Polythene bag (14.83%) and Cloth bag (15.56%) throughout the storage period. Doijode (1997) [7] was reported similar kind of findings in Okra. The higher seed moisture contributed to maximum seed deterioration as higher is the seed moisture content lower is the seed longivity (Khandakar, 1983) [12] . The standard germination percentage of mustard seed stored in different containers have presented in table 2. In mustard variety KRANTI, the standard germination significantly decreased with increase in storage period. The rate of loss in standard germination varied with the type of container used. The initial standard germination test of the seed was (84.77%) but after the storage 18 months (540 days) in tin container, aluminium foil, polythene bag, cloth bag it was declined. Seeds stored in Tin showed significantly higher standard germination (13.23%) as compared to those stored in Aluminium foil (12.00%), Polythene bag (10.23%) and Cloth bag (6.23%) up to 540 days (T 7 ) days of the storage. Among the containers Tin showed significantly higher mean of standard germination (49.54%) as compared to Aluminium foil (46.43%), Polythene bag (41.11%) and Cloth bag (35.75%) throughout the storage period. Similar findings were reported by Guha et. al. (2012) [9] in okra seeds. Saisantosh and Patil (2018) [18] also observed a continuous decrease in the germination percentage in onion seeds with a progressive extension in storage duration. The speed of germination index percentage of mustard seed stored in different containers have presented in table 3. In mustard variety KRANTI, the speed of germination index significantly decreased with increase in storage period. The rate of loss in speed of germination index varied with the type of container used. The initial speed of germination index test of the seed was (52.00%) but after the storage 18 months (540 days) in tin container, aluminium foil, polythene bag, cloth bag it was declined. Seeds stored in Tin showed significantly higher speed of germination index (11.23%) as compared to those stored in Aluminium foil (8.77%), Polythene bag (6.23%) and Cloth bag (4.77%) up to 540 days (T 7 ) days of the storage. Among the containers Tin showed significantly higher mean of speed of germination index (32.35%) as compared to Aluminium foil (28.03%), Polythene bag (24.70%) and Cloth bag (21.72%) throughout the storage period. Similar findings were reported by Basu et al., (2004) [4] in maize. Basavegowda et al. (2013) [3] reported that, commercial storage at 5-7 °C and 65% relative humidity exhibited the highest seed vigour, while working on chickpea. So, the present study was revealed that tin container better storage for storing seeds as compared to aluminium foil, polythene bag and cloth bag.

Conclusion

The present study was concluded that moisture content, standard germination rates and speed of germination were better significant in seeds stored in air tight tin container as compared to aluminium foil, polythene bag and cloth bag. Storage condition affects the production of normal germination and dead seedlings, and the study revealed that seed storage in air tin container was better storage container than aluminium foil, polythene bag, cloth bag for mustard seed.

Funding

We are thankful to Government of Maharashtra, Mahatma Phule Jyotiba Research & Training Institute "MAHAJYOTI" (An Autonomous Institute of The Other Backward Class Bahujan Welfare Department, Govt. of Maharashtra).

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementI am grateful to my guide Professor Dr. R. D. Gadewar, Sevadal Mahila Mahavidyalaya Nagpur, Professor Dr. N. M. Dongarwar, Head of Dept. of Botany, RTMNU University Nagpur, my family and my all colleagues for all their support.

References

1. Ahlawat IPS. Rapeseed and Mustard. Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. 2008.
2. Anonymous. International rules for seed testing and annexes. Seed Sci Technol. 1985;13:299-513.
3. Basavegowda S, Sunkad G, Hosamani A. Effect of commercial cold storage conditions and packaging materials on seed quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Glob J Sci Frontier Res. 2013;13(2):23-8.
4. Basu S, Sharma SP, Dadlani M. Storability studies on maize (Zea mays L.) parental line seeds under natural and accelerated ageing conditions. Seed Sci Technol. 2004;32:239-45.
5. Bortey HM, Sadial AO, Asibuo JY. Influence of seed storage techniques on germinability and storability of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.). J Agric Sci. 2016;8(10):241-8.
6. Chakraborty A, Bordolui SK, Nandi D, Mahato MK. Seed deterioration pattern of some China Aster during storage. Int J Curr Microbiol Appl Sci. 2020;9(3):1499-506.
7. Doijode SD. Effect of packaging and temperatures on seed longevity in okra. Veg Sci. 1997;24:67-9.
8. Dutta A. YSWB 2011-10-1 (Anushka) -a new yellow sarson (Brassica rapa var. yellow sarson L.) variety suitable for cultivation in West Bengal. J Crop Weed. 2017;13(3):79.
9. Guha P, Biswas J, De BK, Mandal AK. Post-harvest dry and wet physiological seed treatments for improved storability and field performance of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Indian J Agric Res. 2012;46(1):16-22.
10. Hemming DJ, Chirwa EW, Dorward A, Ruffhead HJ, Hill R, Osborn J, et al. Agricultural input subsidies for improving productivity, farm income, consumer welfare and wider growth in low-and lower-middle-income countries: a systematic review. Campbell Syst Rev. 2018;14:1-153.
11. ISTA. International rules for seed testing. Seed Sci Technol. 1999;27:1-334.
12. Khandkar AL. Physiochemical examination of jute seed (C. capsularies) and (C. oriolitus) for quality. BJ Jute Fib Res. 1983;8:1-4.
13. Maguire JD. Speed of germination-aid selection and evaluation for seedling emergence and vigour. Crop Sci. 1962;2:176-7.
14. Moharana RL, Basu AK, Bordolui SK, Hembram AK. Packaging materials for seed storage in Indian bean genotypic response. J Crop Weed. 2017;13(2):60-3.
15. Nema NP. Principles of seed certification and testing. Allied Publishers Pvt. Ltd.; 1986:114-118.
16. Rao RGS, Singh PM, Rai M. Storability of onion seeds and effects of packaging and storage conditions on viability and vigour. Sci Hortic. 2006;110:1-6.
17. Ray J, Bordolui SK. Seed quality deterioration of tomato during storage: Effect of storing containers and conditions. Biol Forum Int J. 2022;14(2):327-34.
18. Saisanthosh K, Patil NB. Effect of packaging materials and moisture content on seed storability of onion. J Pharmacogn Phytochem. 2018;7(4):1745-50.
19. Sharma B, Kumari P, Kumari R, Tripathi SK, Kumar A, Dhara PK. Impact of multistorey system on yield and soil quality of mustard in Alfisols of Eastern India. ADRRI J Agric Food Sci. 2020;4:27-46.