Influence of Type of Packaging Materials and Storage Period on Onion (Allium cepa L.) Seed Quality

Abstract

Due to the rapid loss of onion seed viability after harvest, implementing proper storage methods is essential. This study aimed to investigate the influence of various packaging materials and storage durations on the quality of onion seeds (Allium cepa var. Bombay Red). The research was carried out at the seed laboratory of Sirinka Agricultural Research Center between June 2019 and June 2021. The study was carried out using Complete Random Design (CRD) with three replications and using version 9.4 SAS Software to analyze the collected data. The experiment had two factorial arrangements with five packaging materials (aluminum bags, nylon sacks, polythene bags, cloth bags, and glass jars) and two storage periods (12 and 24 months). The study showed that nearly all the parameters examined were significantly influenced (p< 0.05) by both the types of packaging materials and the storage durations. The mean and standard deviation of findings were germination percentage (81.4, 13.6), germination index (3.30, 0.59), germination rate index (0.041, 0.001), seed vigor index I (1143.53, 227.76) and II (8.14, 1.23) and field emergence percentage (82.33, 4.42), respectively. The maximum germination percentage (99.3%), germination index (4.2), germination rate index (0.042), seed vigor index I (1467.4) and II (9.9) and field emergence (90.7%) were observed from polythene bag storage materials and storage period of 12 months. Therefore, it can be concluded that onion seeds can be stored in polythene bags for one year without affecting seed quality.