Post-Fertilization Development of Seed in French Bean Genotypes: Changes in Seed Quality

An experiment was conducted to evaluate physiological maturity of French bean genotypes at District Seed Farm "D" Block, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal during winter season of both 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. All the five genotypes were grown with sufficient population in three replications following randomized block design (RBD) for the purpose of developmental studies. Developing pods were harvested at different stages, starting from 7 days after anthesis (7 DAA) to 49 DAA with an interval of 7 d, including the field maturity stage, thus leading to study on maximum seven different stages. Harvested pods and seeds were utilized for this development programme through dry seed weight, germination and vigour index. Enhancement in dry matter accumulation in seed continued till 42 DAA for Selection 9 and Victoria in both the years; it was 49 and 42 DAA for Sonali in respective years; it was 49 DAA for Abhay in both the years; and for Deepali, it was 42 DAA along with statistically similar magnitude at 49 DAA. Significant enhancement in germination potential of developing seeds continued till 42 DAA for Selection 9 and Deepali, while it was 49 DAA for the other three genotypes. Enhancement in vigour index continued till 49 DAA for all the genotypes except for Selection 9, for which it continued till 42 DAA and then declined.