Studying the effect of different fruit and seed drying methods on seed quality of two different genotypes of chilli (Capsicum annuum L. )

Abstract

The effect of seed drying methods on physiological quality of chilli seeds of fruits harvested at physiological maturity was studied in Randomized block design (RBD) in four replications with four treatments like sun-drying, shade drying, freeze drying of fruits and hand extracted seeds on the day of harvest followed by shade drying in two varieties released from OUAT, Bhubaneswar viz. Utkal Rashmi and Utkal Ava. Seeds were stored for 10 months and observations were recorded on germination percentage, vigour index, root length, shoot length and root-shoot ratio in a regular interval of 2 months. Results revealed that maximum germination percentage and vigour index were recorded in seeds extracted from fruits just before testing with shade drying for both the varieties at all the 5 durations of storage. Seeds extracted immediately after harvest at physiological maturity stage maintained higher germination till 2 months of storage and was at par with shade drying in Utkal Ava. However shade drying was significantly better than other methods of drying for Utkal Rashmi at all durations. Vigour index of hand extracted seeds is significantly better than other drying methods in both varieties. In Utkal Rashmi, the vigour index of shade drying was at par with the hand extracted seeds which was significantly better than other drying methods. Hence both shade drying and hand extracted seeds on the day of harvesting is recommended for drying of chilli seeds.