VARIATION FOR SEED GERMINATION IN TOBACCO GENOTYPES STORED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS

Abstract

Quality seed is the critical input for raising adequate and healthy seedlings in the nurseries. Tobacco farmers, often face the problems of seed germination. Tobacco seed is also vulnerable to deterioration during field weathering, harvesting, and storage conditions leading to loss of seed viability. A set of eleven FCV drought breeding lines and three check varieties stored for twelve months period under normal storage conditions were assessed for their germination potential as per the ISTA guidelines. The considerable genetic variability for germination per centage and germination rate among genotypes indicates the differential response of genotypes to storage periods indicating the effect of prevailing temperature and relative humidity during the storage period. High PCV, GCV and high heritability estimates indicate the involvement of additive gene action and effectiveness of simple selection for genetic improvement of seed viability in tobacco. Three genotypes KDB 4, KDB 10 and KDB 11 showed the least reduction in germination percentage even after 12 months of storage, which will serve as potential donors for seed vaiability improvement.