Background: Seed deterioration is an unavoidable process during seed storage resulting in declined germination and vigour of the seeds and the seeds have different storage potential under different storage condition. Maintenance of germination and vigour requires new alternative method of storage conditions viz., packaging material and temperature conditions. Storage potential of groundnut seeds cv. VRI 8 and the changes associated with the seeds stored under different storage conditions were investigated in this study. 
 
Methods: The efficiency of modified atmospheric storage with different combination of CO2, N2 and O2 and vacuum packaging under different storage temperature (25&deg;C, 5&deg;C and -5&deg;C) for maintaining the storage behaviour of seeds up to 8 months were evaluated and the gas mixture was checked in gas analyzer at regular intervals.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The seeds stored under modified atmospheric storage (MAS) condition with a gas mixture of 0% CO2, 100% N2 and 0% O2 at -5&deg;C temperature condition, maintained germination and seed vigour above 70% with a minimum increase in seed moisture content even after 8 months of storage and even when these seeds kept under ambient condition also maintained germination above 70% after 8 months of storage while the seeds stored under ambient condition registered less germination of below 70% by 6 months of storage itself. Down-regulation of antioxidant defence system viz., catalase and peroxidase activity and the minimum accumulation of malondialdehyde and H202 content in the embryo indicated the less oxidative damage in the seeds stored under MAS compared to ambient condition. Thus, the study highlighted that the seeds have better storage potential under modified atmospheric storage condition with low atmospheric temperature through maintaining the seed quality by reducing their metabolic activity and storing these seeds under ambient condition could be a cost-effective method.

Storage Behaviour of Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Seeds under Different Storage Condition

<div>Background: Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important leguminous crop utilized as vegetable and pulse, being an important source of proteins. Pea seeds harbour various mycoflora both in field and during storage, which plays important role in reducing seed viability, germination and vigour inflicting considerable losses in yield and quality. There is scarcely any recommendation available to maintain seed quality during storage of pea seeds, hence present study was carried out. 
 
Methods: Seeds of pea (cvs. Azad P. 1 and Arkel) were treated with Captan and Carbendazim 50%WP fungicides @ 2.0 g/Kg seed and stored under ambient conditions. The samples were drawn at three months interval to assess the effect of storage on seed quality parameters. The vigour index I, per cent germination and speed of germination of these seed samples were determined using ISTA rules. The detection of associated mycoflora in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed samples was carried out by standard blotter method as recommended by International Seed Testing Association. 
 
Result: Total fourteen fungal species were found associated with different pea seed samples. Out of these, maximum incidence of Alternaria alternata (21.36%) followed by Aspergillus flavus (15.53%), A. fumigatus (14.56%), A. niger (11.60%) and Rhizopus stolonifer (9.71%), were recorded on untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1, after 18 months of storage. The germination, speed of germination and vigour index of stored seed reduced with increase in storage period, whereas fungal incidence increased with the increasing storage period. Among the tested cultivars, germination in pea (cv. Arkel) remained above IMSCS even after 18 months of storage under ambient storage conditions. The maximum percent germination (99.0) was found in pea cv. Azad P. 1 seeds treated with Captan at 3 months of storage, whereas minimum percent germination (49.5) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 after 18 months of storage. The maximum speed of germination (23.88) was found in Captan treated seed of pea cv. Arkel at 0 month of storage and minimum speed of germination (3.52) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 at 18 months of storage. The maximum vigour index I (2339) was found in pea cv. Azad P. 1 (Captan treated seed) at 3 months of storage and minimum vigour index I (431) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 after 18 months of storage.</div>

​Effect of Seed Treatments and Storage Period on Seed Health Parameters of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) under Ambient Storage Conditions

<div style="text-align: justify;">This research study was carried out for 16 weeks to evaluate the effect of ambient storage conditions on the physical properties of soybean. Two soybean varieties named Pb-1 and PM-13 were used for the experiment. The hardness, bulk density, moisture content and thousand seed mass changed significantly within the storage period (P&lt;0.05). Hardness and bulk density of seeds increased with time while thousand seed mass and moisture content decreased with storage time in both varieties. The &lsquo;L&rsquo; and &lsquo;a&rsquo; color values were not changed significantly with storage time however, the &lsquo;b&rsquo; color values were significantly altered with storage time in both varieties. Seed physical property changers are directly affected to its processing conditions such as grading, separation, drying and grinding. Therefore, soybean processing conditions and processing power requirements required to be altered accordingly.</div>

Dynamics of the physical properties of soybean during storage under tropical condition

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<div style="text-align:left">Background: Maintenance of seed quality in storage is important without losing its living entity against biotic and abiotic stress. Arka Sukomal seeds are protein rich and include other nutrient composition which is required for seed germination and seedling establishment. There is a need to minimise the deterioration of cellular structure and biochemical compounds by adopting suitable storage conditions and containers.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The laboratory experiment was carried out to identify the suitable storage conditions and containers on seed quality parameters. The seeds were stored in four different containers viz., cloth bag, polythene bag, super grain bag and poly-lined aluminium pouch at ambient and at controlled condition (15oC). The observations were recorded bimonthly up to fourteen months. 
 
Result: The results showed that seeds in poly-lined aluminium pouch at controlled conditions had shown better quality parameters like lower moisture content (7.70%), higher seed germination (93.58%), more increased seedling vigour index II (5316) and low electrical conductivity of seed leachate (0.437 dS m-1) whereas it was lower in cloth bag at ambient condition (10.40%, 80.67%, 3611 and 0.649 dS m-1, respectively) at the end of storage period. Hence, the viability and vigour of seeds could be maintained better by storing in moisture impervious containers (poly-lined aluminium pouch and polythene bag) at the controlled condition, which is cost-effective and easily adaptable.</div>
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Effect of Storage Conditions and Containers on Storability of Pole Type Frenchbean cv. Arka Sukomal

<div>Background: Ajwain is used as an antioxidant, as preservative and also valued for its medicinal properties. Ajwain seeds undergo deterioration during storage due to various microorganisms and leads to degradation of quality in terms of discolorations and altering the biochemical constituents. Hence, the effect of different types of storage conditions on quality of ajwain seeds was investigated. 
 
Methods: To assess the effect of storage in four different types of containers viz. Plastic jars (PJ) of make Pearl Pet, tin containers (TC), gunny bags (GB) and plastic lined gunny bags (PLBG) were used. The duration of storage was one year. External environmental conditions, i.e. temperature and relative humidity were recorded quarterly. To study the effect of different storage conditions on quality: (i) Seed quality assessment according to Agmark grade specifications (ii) incidence of mycoflora and (iii) effect on biochemical constituents viz. moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, iron, total phenols and volatile oil contents were studied. Initial readings served as control for the experiment.</div>

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<div style="text-align:justify">Result: &nbsp;Irrespective of storage conditions, a sharp increase in deterioration was noted in stored samples of ajwain with respect to presence of shrivelled, damaged, discolored and weevilled seeds after 3 months of storage. This shifted the samples from good to substandard grade. Maximum deterioration was noted after 12 months. The incidence of mycoflora was found maximum in samples stored in tin containers and gunny bags followed by plastic lined gunny bags and plastic Jars. A decline in moisture, crude fiber, carbohydrates, total soluble sugars, iron and volatile oil contents and an increase in crude fat and ash contents were observed after 12 months of storage, irrespective of storage containers. Plastic jars were found to be the best of all containers studied for storage purpose.</div>

<div>Impact on Seed Quality of Ajwain [Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague] Stored under Different Storage Conditions</div>

<div>Background: The rate of respiration of each agricultural commodity varies significantly from commodity to commodity and cultivar to cultivar. To build a controlled, modified or cold storage system and determine shelf life, it is necessary to quantify the rate of respiration and the heat generated as a result of respiration.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: A scientific study was carried out to determine the effect of different storage conditions on the rate of respiration and heat of respiration of mango fruits (cv. Alphonso). An air-tight multi-chamber temperature and RH control system was developed to experiment with various temperatures. Mango fruits were stored at 10, 15, 20, 25&deg;C and ambient temperature in the developed air-tight multi-chamber system. The rate of respiration and heat of respiration was determined for different storage conditions.&nbsp; 
 
Result: At the beginning maximum rate of respiration, 63.22, 72.56, 81.13, 86.33, 101.55 ml CO2/kg/h and heat of respiration, 7096.53, 8322.05, 9119.29, 9589.19, 10547.55 kcal/metric ton/day was observed at 10, 15, 20, 25&deg;C and ambient temperature respectively. It was found that under steady-state storage conditions the rate of respiration and heat of respiration was increased with an increase in temperature whereas decreased with time for all storage conditions.</div>

Respiration Behavior and Heat of Respiration of Mango (cv. Alphonso) under Different Storage Conditions

Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), a vital cool-season legume, faces challenges in seed storage due to environmental factors affecting biochemical stability.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: This study assessed the response of eight chickpea genotypes to different storage containers and environmental conditions over twelve months. Seeds were stored under ambient and refrigerated conditions in six types of containers and key biochemical parameters-protein content, carbohydrate content and electrical conductivity-were evaluated.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Digvijay (V5) and ICCV-191611 (V8) exhibited superior protein and carbohydrate stability, while Bidisha (V2) and BG-3043 (V4) were more prone to deterioration. Refrigerated storage (T6) and 700-gauge polythene packets (T5) effectively maintained seed quality, minimizing protein and carbohydrate losses while reducing electrical conductivity. Cloth bags (T1) and brown paper packets (T3) resulted in the highest deterioration. These findings highlight the importance of genotype selection and optimized storage strategies for enhancing chickpea seed longevity and quality.

Enhancing Chickpea Seed Quality: Impact of Genotype Selection and Storage Conditions

<div>Background: Pulses are very crucial to meet the requirements of dietary proteins in the human diet especially for the predominantly vegetarian population in India. Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) are important pulses grown in India. The seeds of these crops are highly vulnerable to various microorganisms, both in the field and during storage, which play an important role in reducing the seed viability, germination and vigour causing considerable loss in yield and quality. There is no suitable recommendation available to maintain seed quality during storage of pulses, hence present study was undertaken.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Seeds of pigeonpea and chickpea were treated with Captan and Carbendazim 50% WP fungicides @ 2.0 g/Kg of seed and stored under ambient condition. The samples were drawn at three months interval to assess the effect of storage on seed quality parameters. The vigour index I, seed germination and speed of germination of these seed samples were determined using ISTA rules. The detection of seed mycoflora in pigeonpea and chickpea seed samples was carried out by the blotter test as recommended by the International Seed Testing Association.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Total sixteen fungal species were recorded on stored seeds. Maximum incidence of Aspergillus fumigatus (19.83%), A. flavus (14.88%), A. niger (12.40%), Alternaria alternata (11.57%), Fusarium oxysporum (8.26%), Rhizopus stolonifer (7.44%) and Penicillium notatum (5.79%) were recorded on untreated seed of pigeonpea cv. P. 2001 after 18 months of storage. The per cent germination, speed of germination and vigour index of the stored seeds decreased with the increase in the storage period whereas the total number of fungi increased with the storage period, irrespective of treatments. Among the tested cultivars, germination in pigeonpea (cv. P. 991) remained above IMSCS (&gt;75%) upto 18 months of storage under ambient storage condition. However, the germination of pigeonpea cv. P. 2001 seed could be maintained above IMSCS (&gt;75%) up to 12 months only. In chickpea (local cultivar) seed, the germination remained above IMSCS (&gt;85%) up to 9 months only under ambient storage, however seed treatment with either Captan or Carbendazim could prolong the longevity upto 12 months of storage.</div>

Studies on Seed Longevity of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) and Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) under Ambient Storage Condition

<div>Background: Chickpea is an important pulse crop. The area, production and productivity of Kabuli chickpea are very low as compared to Desi type chickpea. While, worldwide chickpea production is predominated by Desi type (80%) compared to Kabuli type (20%). One of constraints limiting the Kabuli chickpea seed production is the fast seed deterioration process as, they possesses thin and fragile seed coat which makes it more susceptible to infestation of pulse beetle and storage fungi. In addition, the day by day increase in usage of chemical pesticides and increase in health awareness among the people and demand towards organic based products necessitate a new alternative method of seed storage than the routinely used storage methods. Modified atmosphere storage is an alternative method to avoid chemical fumigants, which are said to cause residual effect on seed material and development of resistance by storage pest against insecticides. 
 
Methods: The present investigation on modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was carried out at the Department of Processing and Food Engineering, College of Agricultural Engineering, University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur during March 2017. Further, its storage and seed quality assessment were conducted at Seed Quality and Research Laboratory of National Seed Project (Crops), Seed Unit, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad during March 2017 to May 2018. 
 
Result: The results revealed that the Kabuli chickpea seeds stored in the gaseous atmosphere with the combination of CO2 (80%) + N2&nbsp;(20%) + O2 (0%) [C2] have maintained the maximum germination (92%) followed by Vaccum Packaging [C5] by using 700 gauge polyethylene bag for 14 months under ambient conditions above the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards.</div>

​Effect of Modified Atmosphere Storage Conditions on Seed Quality and Longevity of Kabuli Chickpea Varieties

A Study was carried out to find out the seed quality behavior of soybean (Glycine max) as influenced by different packaging materials and storage conditions. Soybean seeds were stored in different packaging materials viz., gunny bags, high density polythene bags and vacuum packed bags stored at room temperature (25 &plusmn; 2&ordm; C) and cold storage (4 &plusmn; 1&ordm; C) for a period of 18 months. The treatments having six combinations and consisting of different containers viz., gunny bags, high density polythene bags and vacuum packed bags were replicated four times in both cold and ambient storage conditions in completely randomized design. The results of the study revealed that the that the seeds stored in vacuum packed bags maintained the seed quality with least deterioration with respect to all the seed quality parameters compared to seeds stored in gunny bags and high density polythene bags.