Effect of time of harvesting on the storability of chickpea \{Cicer arietinum L.\} seeds

Osei-Bonsu, K.   ., Cocoa Research Institute, P 0. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana;; Ellis, R.H., CCocoa Research Institute, P 0. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana;; Roberts, E.H., Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 2AT, England

Effect of time of harvesting on the storability of chickpea \{Cicer arietinum L.\} seeds

1991

Osei-Bonsu, K. ., Cocoa Research Institute, P 0. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana; | Ellis, R.H., CCocoa Research Institute, P 0. Box 8, Tafo-Akim, Ghana; | Roberts, E.H., Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 2AT, England

Chickpea (Cicer arielinum L. cv. Chaffa) seeds harvested at 77. 105 and 133 days after flowering were conditioned to 14.9-24.1 per cent moisture content and storedat 30 and 40°C. constant temperatures. The rate atwhich seeds from different harvests deteriorated wassimilar after storage in comparable temperature andmoisture content conditions. The mean viability periods(P50) for seed lots differed markedly between harvestsand were related to the initial viability, K" of the seedsfrom the different harvests. The initial viability of seedsharvested at 77 days was 99.8 per cent (K, equivalent to2.96), those harvested at 105 days was 97.5 per cent ( Kiequivalent to 1.97) and at 133days it was 33.8 per cent(K, equivalent to -0.42 ). The implications of delayedharvesting on subsequent storage longevity of the seeds. are further discussed.

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