Storability of ricebean seeds

Storability of ricebean (Vigna umbellata (Thunb.) Ohwi & Ohashi) seed was studied over a 5 year period under ambient and +5°C temperature. 12 genotypes of the 1991 season differing in seed characteristics namely seed size and coat pigmentation were chosen for the study. Both storage environment and genotype affected seed germination, seedling vigour and storability. At ambient temperature vigour and viability declined gradually during the 3–3.5 year storage period. Thereafter the decline was somewhat abrupt. At 5°C there was no significant decline in the seed viability. Different accessions differed in their storability. Seedling vigour and storability was related to seed size. Bold seeds and those with dark seed coats deteriorated slowly during storage than small and light coat colour seeds. Accessions with lighter seed coat colour showed higher leachate conductivity and water uptake.