Microsoft Word - 15. BAJ-306_Revised Bangladesh Agron. J. 2017, 21(1): 131-141 EFFECT OF SEED MOISTURE CONTENT AND STORAGE CONTAINER ON SEED VIABILITY AND VIGOUR OF SOYBEAN M. R. Ali1, M. M. Rahman2, M. A. Wadud2, A. H. F. Fahim1 and M. S. Nahar1 1Spices Research Centre, BARI, Shibganj, Bogura 2Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 1Spices Research Centre, BARI, Shibganj, Bogura *Corresponding author, E-mail: rajabag68@yahoo.com (Received: 13 August 2018, Accepted: 16 September 2018) Keywords: Soybean, seed moisture, storage container, viability, vigour Abstract Soybean (Glycine max) seed loses its viability in the storage which causes shortage in supply of quality seed and consequently hinders the expansion of soybean cultivation in Bangladesh.Losses of seed viability of soybean (Glycine max) in traditional storage is very common in the tropical environment. An experiment was conducted at the Seed Laboratory, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Jamalpur in 2011 and 2012 to find out the effect of seed moisture content and types of storage container on soybean seed germination and seedling vigour. In 2011, soybean seed having 94% initial germination was stored at 8, 10 and 12% moisture levels but in 2012 seeds having 96% initial germination was stored at 6, 8, 10 and 12% initial moisture levels in four different types of storage containers viz., polythene bag, plastic pot, tin can and glass jar. weredays after storage ().The experiment was arranged in a factorial completely randomized design with three replications. In 2011, high germination of soybean seed (77-85%) was retained at 200 DAS for those stored at 8% initial seed moisture content (SMC) in any of the containers. Germination index and seedling dry matter decreased with increased initial seed moisture content irrespective of storage containers used. Tin preserved higher seed moisture contents of 9.93, 11.71 and 14.15% for seed stored at 8%, 10% and 12% initial seed moisture content, respectively. In 2012, 80-94% seed germination was retained at 200 DAS for those stored at 6% initial SMC in any of the containers. The germination declined to a range between 75.0 and 91.3% within 200 DAS at 8% initial SMC while those stored at 12% SMC showed rapid germination loss and the value showed down to between 9.3 and 22.0%. Vigour index and seedling dry matter decreased with increased initial seed moisture content irrespective of storage containers used. Tin also Seeds stored in tin container showed the higher final seed moisture contents irrespective of initial seed moisture content. Introduction Seed is a living entry and is subjected to various stresses which affect the quality. In storage, the viability and vigour of the seeds not only vary from genera to genera and variety to variety, but it is also regulated by many physico-chemical factors like moisture content, atmospheric relative humidity, temperature, initial seed quality, physical and chemical composition of seed, gaseous exchange, storage structure, packaging materials, etc. In order to prevent the quantitative and qualitative losses due to several biotic and abiotic factors during storage, several methods are being adopted, such as seed treatment with suitable chemicals or plant products and storing in safe containers, besides sanitation of the storage place. To combat these factors effectively, 132 Ali et al. storing the seeds in vapour proof containers like polythene bag, aluminum foils, tins or any sealed containers is found to be more useful in maintaining the desired quality of seeds for longer period, unlike those stored in moisture pervious containers like cloth bag and gunny bag. Arunnandhy and Senanayaka (1991) reported that the soybean seeds can be kept with high germination and vigour for more than one year when stored in sealed containers. Storage containers or packaging materials are considered as one of the most important factors influencing longevity of seeds in storage. Many factors determine the longevity of seeds during storage. These includes seed moisture content, temperature, relative humidity, initial viability, stage of maturity at harvest, storage gas and initial moisture content of seed entering into storage (Tatipata, 2009). The farmers depend on their previous harvest for seeds and accordingly they preserve some portion of their harvest by indigenous methods. Generally low cost and easily available materials like earthen jar, coalter coated earthen jar, biscuit tin, kerosene tin, metal dram, gunny bag, polythene bag, dole, cow dung coated dole etc. are used as storage containers (Hossain, 1978). The farmers have different types of storage containers in order to protect the seed from moisture absorption and insect infestation. Storage container had significant effect on moisture content of wheat seed at different observation date of storing (Rahman et al., 2010). Seeds packed in polythene maintained high viability with time due to minimized moisture fluctuation and consequently produced more vigorous seedlings compared with those from seeds stored in jute or cloth bags which had little protection against moisture fluctuation (Karim et al., 2005). Starchy seeds above 12% moisture and oily seeds above 9% moisture should not be packed in moisture resistant containers. If seed could be packaged in moisture proof containers so that the relative humidity of the air around the seed remains low, then the seed equilibrium moisture remains low and the seed maintains its viability and vigour for a longer time (Poonam et al., 2001; Agha et al., 2004). The physical properties and storage potential of seed were influenced to a very large extent by moisture content and the relative humidity of the atmosphere surrounding the seed (Kong et al., 2008). Poor storage conditions greatly affect seed vigor (Simic et al., 2007). Clay pots and gunny bags showed an increase in moisture content and sharp decline seed viability within a year of storage than air tight tin cans and air tight glass jar (Naznin, 2005). In sealed containers, dry seeds can not absorb moisture from the external atmosphere (Karim et al., 2005). Krishnappa et al. (2002) found that groundnut seed stored in polyvinyl bag at 7% moisture content should the highest germination. Reports are also available that polythene bags can be used as moisture proof container (Alam and Rahman, 2005). Adequate dried seeds in sealed containers usually live longer at a given temperature than similar seeds in open containers. Soybean seeds stored in moisture proof containers retain high viability than those in moisture permeable containers (Tatipata, 2009). Use of proper storage container to maintain the quality of farmers stored seed and preserving the seed viability should be an important consideration to reduce seed loss and increase crop yield (Samajpati et al., 1978). In view of the above facts, the present study was undertaken to determine appropriate moisture content for seed storage and storage container for reducing the loss of soybean seed viability. . Materials and Methods An experiment was conducted at Regional Agricultural Research Station Farm, Jamalpur during the period from May to December 2011 and 2012 with a view to study the effect of storage container and initial seed moisture content on germination and vigour of soybean seed. Soybean variety Shohag (PB1) collected from Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, Gazipur. The crop was grown with proper agronomic management. The crop was harvested at full maturity and after proper processing, cleaning and drying the seed was stored in polythene bags until used for experimentation. The seed was dried in the sun on a triple set on the cemented floor to about 8% seed moisture content (SMC) in the 1st year and 6.5% SMC in Effect o Seed Moisture Content and Storage Container 133 the 2nd year. Just before final storage the seed was re-hydrated at 70% RH for required period of time to obtain target moisture content of 8, 10 and 12% for the 1st year and 6.50, 8, 10 and 12% for 2nd year. Four types of storage containers viz., polythene bag, plastic pot, tin can and glass jar were used in the experiment. The seed (500 g) was stored in the respective containers on 14 May 2011 and 18 May 2012 respectively. Each container was completely filled with seed as per experimental specification and then made air tight. The experiment was arranged in a factorial completely randomized design with three replicates. The seed was tested for different quality parameters at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 days after storage (DAS). The containers were kept in the laboratory under ambient room condition. The quality parameters tested were seed moisture content, germination percentage, vigour index, and seedling dry matter. Seed moisture content was measured using high constant temperature oven dry method following ISTA rules (1999). About 5-8g of seeds were taken in the aluminum dish and dried in the oven at 130 oC for 2 hours (until constant weight reached). Then the moisture content was calculated as follows: W1-W Moisture content (%) = ----------- 100 W1-W2 Where, W = Weight of blank aluminum dish with lid W1 = Weight of seed plus aluminum dish with lid before drying W2 = Weight of seed plus aluminum dish with lid after drying Germination percentage Germination test was done in sand culture method. Two third of a plastic dish (20 cm diameter and 15 cm deep) was filled with sterilized sand having 60% water holding capacity. Randomly collected 100 seeds from each container were placed into the sand for the germination test. The germination dishes were placed in the germination cabinet and seedling evaluation was done at 8 days after placing the test. The number of normal seedlings per dish was regarded as the germination percentage. Germination index (GI) Germination index of seed was estimated from the seed set in the germination test by calculating the germination index following the formula below given by Association of Official Seed Analysts. The number of seedling was counted at each day at the same time from the day after seed set until the last count was made. The seedling emerged each day having plumule length of 2 cm or more was considered as germinated. Germination index = lcountDaystofina ntatfinalcouofseedlingNo stcountDaysto stcountatofseedlingNo . 1 1.  Seedling dry matter The normal seedlings from each germination dish was collected and washed with running tap water and surface dried. Then the seedling was dried in the oven at 70 oC temperature for 48 hours (until constant weight reached). Data analysis was done statistically following the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique and the means were compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (Gomez and Gomez, 1984). Results and Discussion Seed moisture content (SMC) 134 Ali et al. Storage container and initial seed moisture content had significant effect on final seed moisture content of soybean seed at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS in 2011 and 2012 (Table 1). In 2011, the lowest seed moisture content of seeds stored in glass jar at 8% initial SMC were 8.08, 8.21, 8.31, 8.51 and 8.73% at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and percent moisture increased 1.00, 2.63, 3.87, 6.37 and 9.12% while the highest seed moisture content was observed from those seeds stored in metallic can at 12% initial SMC were 12.64, 13.08, 13.51, 13.87 and 14.15% at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and % moisture increased 5.33, 9.00, 12.58, 15.58 and 17.92% (Table 1). This result are in agreement with the findings of Naznin (2005) who reported that air tight tin can showed an increase in moisture content and sharp decline seed viability within a year of storage than air tight glass jar. In 2012, the lowest seed moisture content of seeds stored in glass jar at 6% initial SMC were 6.57, 6.61, 6.83, 7.12 and 7.38% at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and percent moisture increased 0.87, 1.83, 5.50, 10.33 and 14.67% while the highest seed moisture content was observed from those seeds stored in metallic can at 12% initial SMC were 12.40, 12.66, 13.02, 13.45 and 13.85% at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and % moisture increased 3.33, 5.50, 8.05, 12.08 and 15.42% (Table 1). Germination percentage Storage container and initial seed moisture content had significant effect on final seed moisture content of soybean seed at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS in 2011 and 2012 (Table 1). In 2011, the lowest seed moisture content of seeds stored in glass jar at 8% initial SMC were 8.08, 8.21, 8.31, 8.51 and 8.73% at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and percent moisture increased 1.00, 2.63, 3.87, 6.37 and 9.125% while the highest seed moisture content was observed from those seeds stored in metalic can at 12% initial SMC were 12.64, 13.08, 13.51, 13.87 and 14.15% at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and percent moisture increased 5.33, 9.00, 12.58, 15.58 and 17.92% (Table 2). This result are in agreement with the findings of Naznin (2005) who reported that air tight tin can showed an increase in moisture content and sharp decline seed viability within a year of storage than air tight glass jar. In 2012, the lowest seed moisture content of seeds stored in glass jar at 6% initial SMC were 6.57, 6.61, 6.83, 7.12 and 7.38% at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and percent moisture increased 0.87, 1.83, 5.50, 10.33 and 14.67% while the highest seed moisture content was observed from those seeds stored in metalic can at 12% initial SMC were 12.40, 12.66, 13.02, 13.45 and 13.85% at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and percent moisture increased 3.33, 5.50, 8.05, 12.08 and 15.42% (Table 2). Germination index The interaction effect of initial seed moisture content and storage container on germination index was statistically significant at each of the observation dates during the storage period both in 2011 and 2012. The interaction of glass jars with 8% initial SMC showed higher germination index than metallic can container with 12% initial SMC at each of the observation dates for both the years. In 2011, the germination index of seeds kept in glass jar with 8% initial SMC were 25.41, 21.26, 17.53, 14.15 and 10.44 at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and it was statistically similar to 8% initial SMC in polythene bag and plastic pot at each of the observation dates and those seeds stored in metatlic can container with 12% SMC were 2.11 and 0.09 at 40 and 80 DAS, respectively. Those seeds stored in metallic can, plastic pot and polythene bag with 12% initial SMC completely lost viability at 120 DAS and no seedling was found (Table 3). In 2012, the germination index of seeds kept in glass jar with 6% initial SMC were 30.69, 29.22, 25.32, 21.76 and 12.58 at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively and it was statistically similar to those seeds stored in polythene bag and plastic pot with 6% and 8% initial SMC. The corresponding values for seeds stored in metallic can container with 12% initial SMC were 20.85, 16.49, 10.48, 3.61 and 0.60 at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS, respectively (Table 3). Effect o Seed Moisture Content and Storage Container 135 Seedling dry matter The interaction of initial seed moisture content and storage container had significant effect of on seedling dry matter at each of the observation dates during the storage in 2011 and 2012. The interaction effect of glass jar with 8% initial SMC showed higher seedling dry matter than metalic can container with 12% initial SMC at each of the observation dates for both the years. In 2011, the seedling dry matter of seeds in glass jar with 8% initial SMC were 0.127, 0.124, 0.122, 0.117 and 0.112 g seedling-1 at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS while those values for seeds stored in metallic can container with 12% initial SMC were 0.078 and 0.076 g seedling-1 at 40 and 80 DAS, respectively. Seeds with 12% initial SMC stored in metalic can, plastic pot and polythene bag completely lost viability at 120 DAS and no seedling was found (Table 4). In 2012, the seedling dry matter of seeds in glass jar with 6% SMC were 0.116, 0.112, 0.108, 0.106 and 0.101 g seedling-1 at 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 DAS while those values for seeds stored in metallic can container with 12% initial SMC were 0.086, 0.084, 0.080 and 0.077 g seedling-1 at 40, 80, 120 and 160 DAS, respectively and it was statistically at par to plastic pot and polythene bag with 12% initial SMC. Those seeds stored in metalic can, polythene bag and plastic pot with 12% initial SMC completely lost viability at 200 DAS and no seedling emergence was found (Table 4). 136 Ali et al. Table 1. Interaction effect of initial seed moisture content and storage container on final seed moisture content of soybean seed at different days after storage (DAS) storage in 2011 and 2012 Initial SMC × container Seed moisture content (%) 2011 2012 40 DAS 80 DAS 120 DAS 160 DAS 200 DAS 40 DAS 80 DAS 120 DAS 160 DAS 200 DAS M1C1 - - - - - 6.58d 6.72i 6.89l 7.29e 7.85gh M1C2 - - - - - 6.59d 6.75i 6.99k 7.32e 7.78gh M1C3 - - - - - 6.68d 6.93h 7.25j 7.77de 8.23fg M1C4 - - - - - 6.57d 6.61j 6.83m 7.12e 7.38h M2C1 8.15g 8.42h 8.58h 8.87j 9.12j 8.14c 8.44h 8.66h 8.87d-e 9.09e M2C2 8.15g 8.30i 8.46h 8.70k 8.92k 8.11c 8.24g 8.36i 8.49cde 8.80e M2C3 8.33f 8.73g 9.18g 9.46i 9.93i 8.19c 8.42f 8.84g 9.14b-e 9.69d M2C4 8.08g 8.21i 8.31h 8.51l 8.73l 8.10c 8.22g 8.35i 8.50cde 8.70ef M3C1 10.20e 10.46e 10.77e 11.06f 11.42f 10.39b 10.60d 10.92d 11.24ab 11.64b M3C2 10.14e 10.38ef 10.63ef 10.94g 11.25g 10.34bb 10.56d 10.78e 11.12ab 11.59b M3C3 10.49d 10.75d 11.33g 11.34e 11.71e 10.31b 10.57d 10.89d 11.23ab 11.77b M3C4 10.07e 10.32f 10.42f 10.61h 10.90h 10.21b 10.32e 10.45f 10.61bc 10.90c M4 C1 12.27b 12.61b 12.86b 13.11b 13.40b 12.38a 12.5b8 12.92b 13.31bcd 13.67a M4 C2 12.20bc 12.43c 12.75b 12.90c 13.14c 12.35a 12.46c 12.80c 13.15a 13.62a M4 C3 12.64a 13.08a 13.51a 13.87a 14.15a 12.40a 12.66a 13.02a 13.45a 13.85a M4 C4 12.11c 12.34c 12.45c 12.62d 12.83d 12.33a 12.56b 12.79c 13.10a 13.51a CV (%) 6.79 5.70 4.45 8.49 7.51 5.93 7.40 6.27 4.20 7.71 In a column, values having similar letter(s) do not differ significantly by DMRT Note:C1= Polythene bag, C2= Plastic pot, C3= Metalic can, C4= Glass jar, M1= 6.5 MC, M2= 8% SMC, M3=10% SMC, M4= 12% SMC Effect o Seed Moisture Content and Storage Container 137 Table 2. Interaction effect of initial seed moisture content and storage container on germination and field emergence of soybean seed at different DAS in 2011 and 2012 Initial SMC ×container Germination (%) 2011 2012 40 DAS 80 DAS 120 DAS 160 DAS 200 DAS 40 DAS 80 DAS 120 DAS 160 DAS 200 DAS M1C1 - - - - - 94.7abc 93.3a-e 92.7ab 90.7abc 90.0a M1C2 - - - - - 97.3a 96.0ab 93.3ab 92.7ab 91.3a M1C3 - - - - - 91.3a-d 90.0b-e 88.0bc 85.3bc 80.0b M1C4 - - - - - 97.3a 96.7a 96.0a 95.3a 94.0a M2C1 89.7ab 88.0ab 86.0ab 83.3ab 80.0ab 94.00abc 94.7abc 93.3ab 91.33abc 90.3a M2C2 90.0ab 89.0a 87.0ab 84.7ab 82.3ab 94.7abc 94.0a-d 92.7ab 92.0abc 90.7a M2C3 86.0ab 84.3abc 81.0bcd 79.3bc 77.3bc 88.7cd 88.0de 85.3c 84.7c 75.0b M2C4 91.7a 90.7a 89.0a 87.0a 85.0a 95.3ab 94.0a-d 93.3ab 92.7ab 91.3a M3C1 84.3b 78.7c 55.0d 71.0d 68.0d 88.7cd 91.3a-e 69.33d 55.3de 44.7c M3C2 85.3b 81.3bc 76.7cd 74.0cd 72.7cd 94.0abc 88.7cde 65.3de 47.3f 42.0c M3C3 75.7c 70.3d 63.3e 58.3e 52.7e 88.7cd 87.3e 50.0f 48.7cf 46.7c M3C4 87.3ab 84.7abc 82.3bc 83.3ab 78.3b 91.3a-d 90. 7a-e 59.3e 57.3d 54.0c M4 C1 24.7f 6.7f 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g 86.0d 72.0fg 52.0f 26.0g 10.7d M4 C2 37.3e 9.3f 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g 88.7cd 72.7f 50.0f 24.7g 10.0d M4 C3 19.3g 2.7f 0.0g 0.0g 0.0g 75.0fg 66.0g 40.0g 16.7h 9.3d M4 C4 58.3d 46.7e 37.0f 29.0f 21.0f 89.3bcd 70.7fg 41.3g 24.0gh 22.0d CV (%) 4.46 6.58 6.12 6.25 6.16 4.82 5.27 5.29 7.08 9.76 DAS= Days after sowing, In a column, values having similar letter(s) do not differ significantly by DMRT Note: C1= Polythene bag, C2= Plastic pot, C3= Metallic can, C4= Glass jar, M1= 6% SMC, M2= 8% SMC, M3=10% SMC, M4=12%SMC 138 Ali et al. Table 3. Interaction effect of initial seed moisture content and storage container on germination index of soybean seed at DAS storage in 2011 and 2012 Initial SMC ×container Germination index 2011 2012 40 DAS 80 DAS 120 DAS 160 DAS 200 DAS 40 DAS 80 DAS 120 DAS 160 DAS 200 DAS M1C1 - - - - - 29.01abc 28.95a 24.29ab 21.44a 12.05a M1C2 - - - - - 29.74abc 28.98a 21.52a-d 19.85ab 11.88a M1C3 - - - - - 28.11a-e 26.41bc 18.04d-h 15.73cd 9.27b M1C4 - - - - - 30.69a 29.22a 25.32a 21.76a 12.58a M2C1 25.22a 20.75ab 16.13ab 13.27b 9.89ab 28.34a-d 27.15ab 21.43a-d 20.25ab 10.12ab M2C2 24.41a 22.00a 16.95ab 13.78ab 10.23a 28.92a-d 28.55a 20.67a-f 18.27a 10.56a M2C3 23.35ab 20.25ab 15.21b 11.46c 9.13b 26.50cde 23.21d 16.64e-h 15.79cd 8.57b M2C4 25.41a 21.26ab 17.53a 14.15a 10.44a 29.28ab 28.69a 23.00abc 21.60a 10.30ab M3C1 22.80ab 17.00c 11.40c 8.62e 7.48c 25.85de 24.13d 20.41d-g 13.27de 4.05cde M3C2 23.12ab 17.41c 12.05c 8.90e 7.58c 27.92b-e 23.90d 19.40c-h 10.70ef 3.58cde M3C3 20.70b 14.35d 7.64d 6.23f 5.62d 27.90b-e 20.62e 11.63ij 8.43fg 5.57bcd M3C4 23.48a 19.43b 12.92c 9.66d 8.23c 29.23ab 25.01cd 21.07a-e 13.27de 5.64bcd M4 C1 6.04d 0.64f 0.00f 0.00f 0.00f 21.84df 19.84e 15.83ghi 8.75f 0.94de M4 C2 6.01d 0.67f 0.00f 0.00f 0.00f 25.54e 19.72e 15.07hij 5.57gh 095e M4 C3 2.11e 0.09f 0.00f 0.00f 0.00f 20.85b-e 16.49f 10.48j 3.61h 0.60e M4 C4 10.44c 9.83e 4.39e 2.50g 2.31e 27.04b-e 19.18e 16.13f-i 9.80f 8.01abc CV (%) 8.60 8.60 6.34 5.46 8.34 5.57 5.11 7.76 8.04 6.04 DAS= Days after sowing, In a column, values having similar letter(s) do not differ significantly by DMRT Note: C1= Polythene bag, C2= Plastic pot, C3= Metalic can, C4= Glass jar, M1= 6% SMC, M2= 8% SMC, M3=10% SMC, M4= 12% SMC Effect o Seed Moisture Content and Storage Container 139 Table 4. Interaction effect of initial seed moisture content and storage container on seedling dry matter (g) of soybean at different DAS during storage in 2011 and 2012 Initial SMC ×container Seedling dry matter (g seedling-1) 2011 2012 40 DAS 80 DAS 120 DAS 160 DAS 200 DAS 40 DAS 80 DAS 120 DAS 160 DAS 200 DAS M1C1 - - - - - 0.113b 0.111a 0.104ab 0.098d 0.093c M1C2 - - - - - 0.114ab 0.107b 0.105a 0.103bc 0.099b M1C3 - - - - - 0.095b 0.106b 0.101abc 0.092e 0.086d M1C4 - - - - - 0.116a 0.112a 0.108a 0.106a 0.101a M2C1 0.112b 0.111c 0.108c 0.104c 0.099c 0.112b 0.110ab 0.100a-d 0.086f 0.055f M2C2 0.123a 0.119b 0.116b 0.122b 0.106b 0.109b 0.104c 0.104ab 0.101c 0.088cd M2C3 0.104c 0.107d 0.103d 0.099d 0.093d 0.094b 0.106b 0.098a-d 0.091e 0.084e M2C4 0.127a 0.124a 0.122a 0.117a 0.112a 0.111b 0.106b 0.101abc 0.100c 0.098b M3C1 0.102c 0.101e 0.098e 0.093e 0.087e 0.104b 0.100cd 0.087bcd 0.085f 0.054f M3C2 0.114b 0.111c 0.108c 0.103c 0.097c 0.107b 0.103c 0.087bcd 0.087f 0.081e M3C3 0.096d 0.094f 0.091f 0.086f 0.079f 0.086c 0.104c 0.097a-d 0.090e - M3C4 0.116b 0.113c 0.110c 0.106c 0.100c 0.110b 0.103c 0.100a-d 0.098c 0.095c M4 C1 0.081g 0.080h 0.000h 0.000h 0.000h 0.100b 0.099d 0.084cd 0.084f - M4 C2 0.084ef 0.082h 0.000h 0.000h 0.000h 0.092b 0.096e 0.084d 0.083f - M4 C3 0.078g 0.076c 0.000h 0.000h 0.000h 0.086c 0.084e 0.080d 0.077g - M4 C4 0.088e 0.086g 0.082g 0.076g 0.065g 0.109b 0.103c 0.092a-d 0.097d 0.084e Sign. level ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** CV (%) 4.86 6.00 7.60 8.61 5.91 6.92 7.04 8.63 5.73 8.09 DAS= Days after sowing, In a column, values having similar letter(s) do not differ significantly Note: C1= Polythene bag, C2= Plastic pot, C3= Metallic can, C4= Glass jar, M1= 6% Seed moisture content (SMC), M2= 8% SMC, M3=10% SMC, M4= 12% SMC, 140 Ali et al. 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