Seed treatments and storage conditions on vigour and viability of sesame seeds

Sesame, referred as Queen of Edible Oil Seeds, has an excellent nutritional content and therapeutic properties. Presence of high oil content accelerates rapid deterioration turning them rancid and perish quickly than conventional seeds. In addition, oilseeds are vulnerable to peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which produces free fatty acids and free radicals that harm cells. The present study was undertaken to analyse the effect of seed treatments and storage conditions on vigour and viability of this economically important oil seed crop. Sesame seeds were treated with dry halogen (6 g kg-1 seeds) and halo polymer (8 g kg-1 seeds), packaged in 700-gauge polythene bags and kept in ambient and cold storage settings for a total of six months, along with untreated control. Seeds were evaluated initially and at monthly intervals for physiological, biochemical, anatomical and seed health parameters. Higher germination (94 %), vigour index (1493), oil content (46.84 %), catalase activity (1.089 mmol H2O2 min-1 g-1) were observed in halo polymer-treated sesame seeds. Also seeds treated with halo polymer recorded minimum pathogen infection (4 %), in contrast to control 7 %). Halo polymer-treated sesame seeds also demonstrated lower cellular deterioration and loss of turgidity than untreated seeds. When compared to ambient storage, seeds kept in cold storage retained seed quality better for both the physiological and biochemical parameters.