Effects of low cost drying methods on seed quality of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Monech

Babiker, Ali Zakaria and Dulloo, Mohammad Ehsan and El Balla, M.A.Mustafa and Ibrahim, El Tahir (2010) Effects of low cost drying methods on seed quality of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Monech. African Journal of Plant Science , 4 (9). pp. 339-345.

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Abstract

The effect of low cost drying methods on the seed quality of different genotypes of sorghum was investigated. Fresh seeds from five genotypes were subjected to three drying regimes, namely sun, shade and silica gel, and were compared to the standard recommended drying condition using a seed dryer (Munter seed dryer Model M120) as control. The effects of the drying regimes on seed moisture content, viability and quality were studied. All the drying methods were able to dry seeds to safe seed moisture contents levels (range of 5.6 - 7.5%) for conservation. None of the alternative drying methods examined proved to be better than drying in a seed dryer. Seeds dried with the seed dryer gave the highest germination percentage compared to those dried using silica gel, or under shade and sun. However, this study indicates that drying with silica gel and shade are good alternative methods. Sun drying is quicker, but is harmful to the seeds and affects long-term seed viability

Item Type: Article
Author Affiliation: Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan.
Subjects: Crop Improvement > Genetics/Genomics
Crop Improvement > Seed Technology
Divisions: Sorghum
Depositing User: Mr T L Gautham
Date Deposited: 16 Nov 2010 16:48
Last Modified: 29 Dec 2010 20:36
Official URL: http://www.academicjournals.org/AJPS/PDF/Pdf2010/S...
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/576

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