Seed quality in pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L) cv. Punjab samrat as affected by fruit harvesting and storage duration

An experiment was conducted in 2013 to study the seed quality of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) variety Punjab Samrat as affected by stage of fruit harvest and post harvest storage duration. Fruits were harvested 25, 35 and 45 days after pollination (DAP) which were stored for 0, 10, 20 and 30 days after each date of harvesting (DAH). The number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight, seed weight per fruit and percentage of developed fruits were higher in fruits harvested at 45 days after pollination. Maximum germination index, germination percentage and seedling vigour indices was obtained when fruits were harvested 45 DAP and stored for 30 DAH. However the content of malondialdehyde which is an indicator of membrane damage decreased in seeds obtained from fruits harvested at alter stages and stored for longer duration. The amount of total sugars decreased while total lipids and total free amino acids increased in fruits harvested at 45 DAP and stored for 30 DAH. Germination index, germination percentage and seedling vigour indices were also maximum seeds obtained from fruits harvested 45 DAP and stored for 30 days DAH.