Department of Plant Physiology, College of Agriculture A.P A.U., Rajendranagar, Hyderabad-500030
Hydration-dehydration treatment of naturally aged, 3 and 14 months old (NA-I and NA-II respectively) and accelerated aged (AA) seeds of sunflower hybrids (MSFH-8 and APSH-11) with or without chemicals was effective in retaining the seed germinability and seedling vigour in subsequent storage. Consequently plant stand, seed yield and oil per cent were improved when treated seeds were sown 12 months after storage. But the effect of treatment was conspicuous with NA-II and accelerated aged seed as compared to high vigour seed (NA-I) when it was sown immediately after treatment. Among the treatments, soaking in water showed better field performance in sunflower hybrids.
