Seed treatments for improved storability and field performance of gram (Cicer Arietinum L.)

Pre-storage dry treatments of freshly harvested Bengal gram seed (high-vigour) with calcium hypochlorite (common bleaching powder, @ 2 g/kg of seed), iodinated calcium carbonate (30 mg iodine impregnated with 3 g of calcium carbonate, @ 3 g/kg of seed), alcohols such as methanol and isopropanol (1 ml each of methanol and isopropanol mixed with 3 g of calcium carbonate @ 3 g/kg of seed) and wet treatments such as moisture equilibration-drying (hydrated over saturated atmosphere for 24 h followed by drying back to its original moisture content) significantly improved post-storage germinability over untreated control. The treated seeds also showed significant increase in yield and its attributes per unit area over control. The refrigerated control (seeds kept in the refrigerator after harvest) which was taken as a reference treatment has shown better results in improving storability and field performance over control and other treatments. Physiological and biochemical studies on treated seeds showed greater membrane integrity as measured by reduced leakage of electrolytes, sugars and amino acids over untreated control. Dehydrogenase enzyme activity was significantly higher in the treated seeds than the control. The dry and wet treated seeds also showed lower lipid peroxide formation than the control. On the basis of present findings, dry treatments of seeds with calcium hypochlorite and iodinated calcium carbonate and wet treatments such as moisture equilibration-drying in freshly harvested Bengal gram seeds (high-vigour) are suggested for improved storability and field performance.