Abstract
The effect of moisture levels and storage containers on the seed quality of chickpea was investigated in the laboratory of Department of Agronomy, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) Dinajpur, Bangladesh during April-July 2009. Three seed container viz, sealed container, polythene bag and gunny bag and three moisture level i.e. 8.88 %, 12.23 % and 14.10 % were included in the study. Chickpea seeds with 8.88% initial moisture level were found in good condition in respect of germination, less number of abnormal and dead seedlings, better shoot and root length, vigour index and poor fungal incidence. The highest germination percent was found 81.12−88.36%, while the lowest percent of abnormal seedling (9.21−13.00%) and dead seedling (3.39−7.20%) was found in chickpea with 8.88% the initial moisture level at different storage periods. Fungal incidence was found less in chickpea seeds with the same initial moisture level. Among the storage condition, sealed container was found the advantage for chickpea seed storage compared to the usage of polythene bag and gunny bag. The seed container of gunny bag was also found in inferior condition in case of above parameters. Interaction between sealed container and moisture level at 8.88% was performed better in all aspects compared to the gunny bag with 14.10% moisture level. Our results concluded that optimum moisture level and ideal storage condition has the greatest benefit on the quality seeds.
