Germination and seedling development from pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seeds following storage in different packaging materials

Freshly harvested pepper (Capsicum annuum L. cvar. 'Tatashe' and 'Rodo') seeds were packaged in laminated aluminium foil, polythene and paper envelopes at a moisture content of 9.2% and 9.3% for 'Tatashe' and 'Rodo' respectively and stored for 24 weeks at 30 degrees C and at about 90% relative humidity. Seeds were drawn at intervals for germinability and seedling development tests. There was an initial improvement in total and rate of germination as storage progressed. This was later followed by a decline in the three containers. Measurements were best in aluminium foil packets and worst in polythene towards the end of storage. Serious fungal growth was observed on seeds packaged in polythene. Marked improvements were observed in seedling growth with storage in all containers up to certain ages beyond which a decline set in. The improvement in seed germination and seedling development from some aged seeds is taken to be an indication of the need for after-ripening of pepper seed.