Studies on seed longevity of rice genotypes

The laboratory study was carried out to find the storability of the seventeen rice genotypes at Department of Seed science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences Raichur, Karnataka. The seeds raised under direct seeded rice (DSR) method at farmer’s field in Raichur district, Karnataka. The seeds were harvested, procured and stored in cloth bag under ambient condition for twelve months. Significantly, lowest moisture content was observed in MAS-26 (11.00 %) at the end of storage period followed by the genotype MT-4541 (11.20 %), MTU-1010 (11.3 %). Among the genotypes, MAS-26 recorded higher seed germination percentage (83.60 %), higher test weight (22.97 g), highest seedling length (26.20 cm), seedling dry weight (9.99 mg seedling-1), seedling vigour index (SVI) II (836), highest speed of germination (22.91), electrical conductivity (0.191 dSm-1), higher total dehydrogenase (TDH) activity (0.491 OD value), minimum loss of α- amylase activity (12.66 mm) and the least fungal infection (7.53 %) was noticed at the end of storage time. Rice genotypes under natural ageing showed significant difference for quality parameters that varies from one genotype to other. This investigation helps in understanding the storage potential of the genotypes which can be helpful in crop improvement programme.