Intervarietal variability for seed longevity in pea (Pisum sativum)

Variability for seed longevity among 10 pea varieties was studied under accelerated ageing conditions of 80% relative humidity and 40 ± l°C temperature. Germination and seedling vigour decreased in all the varieties with increasein duration of storage. However, varieties differed in the degree of germination decline even when stored under similar conditions and duration. On the basis of LD₅₀ of germination, the varieties JP 888, T 163, Pant P 9 and EC 33866 were categorized as good storers; Rachna, Hans, PG 3 and KFPD 8 as moderate storers; and HFP4 and Pusa 10 as poorstorers. Seed size was not correlated with its viability in storage, however, seed size within a genotype was found to affect longevity onlyin some varieties. Seed longevity is genotypically controlled.