Influence of Seed Treatment and Packaging Materials on Longevity of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)

Abstract

This study was carried out between January 15^th to October 20^th, 2019, at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo, Nigeria. It was aimed at evaluating the effect of packaging materials and storage period on the vigor parameters of some selected pigeon pea genotypes. NSWCC-19, NSWCC-7D and NSWCC-50 were treated with four leaf extracts namely neem (Azadiracthta indica), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), pawpaw (Carica papaya) and scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) all at l0g/l00g. The seeds were kept in four different packaging materials: plastic cans, polythene bags, paper envelopes and glass bottles and stored for ten months at ambient conditions. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA; treatment means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Tests (P < 0.05). The study concluded that pigeon pea seed stored in glass bottle in combination with neem or pawpaw leaf powder is recommended for an effective maintenance of its seed viability and vigour.

Keywords: Leaf extracts, seedling vigour, seed quality, seedlot