Seed storage behaviour in different varieties of wheat

Fifteen month old seed samples of eight varieties of wheat comprising Triticum aestivum L. vars. PBW 343, PBW 373, HD 2329, PBW 175, WH 542, PBW 299, PBW154 along with Triticum durum Desf. variety PDW 233 were stored under ambient conditions (after bulk storage along with the seed meant for short term storage) to screen their storability (poor and good storer varieties). Data on germination, electrical conductance of seed leachates, seedling dry weight and seed moisture content indicated that different wheat varieties showed differential seed storability. Variety PDW 233 showed the least storability of 15 months whereas PBW 299 showed the maximum storability of 25 months. Other varieties viz. PBW 373, HD 2329, WH 542, and PBW 175 found of intermediate storability of 17 to 21 months. Therefore, based on data, PBW 299 was considered to be a good storer while PDW 233 a poor storer.