Studies on seed development and maturation in relation to yield and seed vigour in fieldpea (Pisum sativum L.)

Studies on seed development and maturation in fieldpea were taken up in order to quantify the precise stage of harvesting at which its maximum yield and seed vigour were achieved under normal soil and sodic soil conditions. The seed attained maturity about one week earlier and also low seed vigour under sodic soil in comparison to the normal soil condition. The maximum seed dry weight was observed at 50-55 days after anthesis and around 30-35 per cent seed moisture content which resemblance to physiological or mass maturity. Further, the maximum seed quality and /or vigour parameters viz., germination, seedling length, vigour index and field emergence were recorded at 55-60 days after anthesis and around 20-24 percent seed moisture content just before to harvest maturity which was accorded at 60-65 days after anthesis and around 14 per cent seed moisture content. Therefore, it can be concluded that seed viability appeared before mass maturity and was increased until sometime after mass maturity but before harvest maturity and declined thereafter. These valuable findings are being utilized in quality seed production of field pea.