Determining seed longevity and vigor in finger millet [Elusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] and its genetic implication under storage

The seeds of any crop variety maintain vigor and viability to a certain period, i.e., seed longevity, also known as aging resistance and storability, which is genetically controlled and influenced by the storage environment. The study enabled the categorization of 33 cultivars of finger millet with different potentials of seed storability, seedling growth and vigor traits at different periods of natural seed aging under ambient storage conditions. The genotypic (G) differences among the cultivars for seed viability and vigor traits at eight durations of the aging period (E) were significant for all the traits. The response of genotypes to the aging period differed significantly as revealed by the genotype (G) x aging period (E) interaction. The seed germination and emergence were reduced gradually after two years of storage. The majority (88%) of cultivars maintained the standard seed germination (75%) until two years (E4) of aging. After three years (E6), 21 cultivars maintained seed viability above the standard germination (75%). Extending the aging period to three and half years (E7) further reduced to eight cultivars with >75% seed viability. At the end of the four years (E8), only four cultivars could retain seed viability to the standard (75%), i.e., G14 (86%), G26 (81%), G12 (79%) and G22 (75%) indicating seed aging resistance to maintain desired seed longevity for four years. The outcome enables the plant breeders and seed industry personnel to plan the seed storage and production programs of different seed classes in the generation system of finger millet. Further, the information also provides clues for planning the seed conservation and regeneration programs of finger millet in gene banks and active germplasm sites.