EFFECT OF SEED TREATMENTS AND STORAGE CONTAINERS ON THE MAINTENANCE OF VIABILITY OF OKRO SEED

Abstract

The relative effects of five seed treatments as well as six storage containers on the maintenance of seed viability in okro were evaluated . The result indicated considerable variation in seed viability. Apron plus treated seed in glass bottles and sealed plastic bottles were best with 66-70% viability. Chemical treatment preserved okro seeds better for over 2 months and maintained higher viability (above 80%) than control or palm oil treatments. Glass bottles and sealed plastic bottles were most effective as they consistently maintained superior viability over 6 months. aldrexT treated seed (3g/kg seed) maintained satisfactory viability of 70% over 4 months if stored in glass bottles. However , Apron plus treated seed (5g / kg seed) in glass bottles or sealed plastic bottles was effective as a high viability of 70 to 72% was recorded over 4 months. Seed treated with FernazanD (3g / kg seed) in galvanized iron tins had more than 70% viability after 3 months. But palm oil treated seed (59 / kg seed) reduced viability of stored seeds in all the containers, irrespective of storage time. Galvanized iron tins were the best containers to store the seed without any chemical treatments, followed by earthen pots, glass bottles and sealed plastic bottles, maintaining as much as 70 — 74% viability for over 4 months. The correlations co-efficient results that all the treatments had high and significant negative correlations with storage time indicating a substantial loss in the viability of treated okro seed during storage in the six containers.