Extending Seed Viability in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Ultra-dry Moisture and Vacuum Storage

Background: The groundnut or peanut seed possess very short viability. Thus, it is usually stored along with pod and at the time of sowing, the seeds are decorticated and used. Methods: An experiment was conducted to extend the storability of decorticated seeds (kernels) by ultra-dry moisture content and vacuum packing in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Seed Centre, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore during 2020-23. Result: The results showed that the kernels with 5.0% moisture content, vacuum packed and stored at -20oC, -5oC and 5oC have maintained the germination above Indian minimum seed certification standards (IMSCS) i.e. more than 70% upto 20 months. However, the kernels with 6.0% moisture content and stored under ambient condition have showed a rapid reduction in germination and recorded 68% in four months storage. Nevertheless, the kernels dried with 3.5% moisture were not able to withstand the moisture loss and recorded reduction in germination at six months period. The seedling vigour was also maintained in the kernels stored at -20oC, -5oC and 5oC with 5.0% seed moisture. Further, histological studies indicated that the seeds dried to 5.0% moisture content and stored at low temperature had intact seed coat and cells whereas, they were damaged when the seeds dried to 3.5% moisture content. Hence, because of better viability, reduced space required for storage and easy to transport, conservation of kernels would be highly cost-effective under the controlled environmental conditions, as compared to pod storage.