Effect of Storage and Umbel Orders on Seed Quality of European Carrot Cultivar Solan Rachna under Cold Desert Conditions of Himachal Pradesh

These investigations were carried out to study the effect of umbel orders and storage on seed quality of European carrot cv. Solan Rachna produced and stored in cold desert conditions at RHRSS, Tabo, Lahaul and Spiti, HP during 2008–2012. Significant differences among seeds of different umbel orders were observed with respect to 1000-seed weight, seedling length and seed vigour index-I. Heaviest seeds were produced on primary umbels with 1000-seed weight of 1.53 g followed by secondary umbel seeds (1.49 g), mixed seed lot (1.42 g) and tertiary umbel seeds (1.19 g). Germination showed a progressive decrease with increasing umbel order. The longest seedlings (10.60 cm) were observed in primary umbel seeds. Similarly, the most vigorous seeds were borne on primary umbels. Storage period affected physiological traits like germination, seedling length and seed vigour. The highest germination (68.67%) was observed in the fresh seeds and lowest (30.33%) in oldest seeds. The longest seedlings were produced by the fresh seed and the length decreased with the storage period of the seed lot. Seed Vigour Index-I decreased with storage period of the seeds. Interaction of umbel order and storage period of carrot seed significantly affected physiological quality. The longest seedlings (11.71 cm) were produced by the youngest seeds of primary umbel, whereas the shortest seedlings were produced by the mixed lot seed stored for three years. Seedling length decreased significantly with increasing storage period within umbel orders. Primary umbel order seeds had least germination reduction with increasing storage period. Vigour deterioration was more pronounced in seeds of inferior umbel orders.