Effect of seed moisture content and packaging material on seed quality of NSIC Rc 134 (Oryza sativa L.) during storage
2010
Alcantara, Q.H. | Brena, S.R., Philippine Rice Research Inst., Maligaya, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (Philippines). Germplasm and Seed Healt Div.
Seeds of NSIC Rc 134 harvested in wet season 2008 were dried to two moisture content (MC) levels, 12 and 14% then stored in either 15 kilogram capacity polyethylene bag or in ordinary sack then stored in warehouse with temperature range of 25 to 32 C and 65-75% relative humidity. This study was conducted to determine the MC level and packaging material appropriate in maintaining seed viability of rice seed during storage. Initial evaluation of MC, germination, storage insect pest population, and the number of insect-damaged seeds were done and succeeding evaluations were made monthly thereafter. Regardless of packaging material and MC level, a gradual decline in seed germination was observed for 5 months. Moreover, germination remained higher than 85% after 5 months. At this germination rate, seeds of NSIC Rc134 are still eligible for disposal to seed growers and farmers. Minimal fluctuation in MC was observed in all treatments but after 5 months, only seeds dried to 14% MC then packed in ordinary sack had lower MC than the initial MC prior to storage. Drying seeds to 12% MC and the use of polyethylene bag for storage proved effective in the control of storage insect pest population and the number of storage insect-pest damaged seeds upon evaluation. Aspergillus flavus, a storage fungus had very minimal occurrence in all treatments for three months. After 5 months the level of occurrence increased in all treatments but still lowest in seeds dried to 12% MC then packed in polyethylene bag.
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