GERMINATION OF PEARL-MILLET (PENNISETUM-GLAUCUM) SEEDS STORED UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS FOR 6 YEARS

Storage conditions can affect seed viability. Seven pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) cultivars were kept for six years under three storage conditions: ambient [15-40-degrees-C, 20-90% relative humidity (RH)], short-term (18-20-degrees-C, 30-40% RH), and medium-term (4-degrees-C, 20% RH); six types of containers were used: glass and plastic bottles, aluminum foil and paper packets, and polyethylene and cloth bags. Germination of the seeds was studied at six-month intervals for six years. Under ambient conditions, germination was completely lost within five years in all treatments. Under short-term storage conditions, germination of seeds was significantly reduced compared to that under medium-term conditions where the germination was more than 50%. Significant genotypic differences were observed, larger and denser seeds survived longer than others. Viability of the early maturing cultivars was lower probably due to grain weathering consequent to delayed harvesting. Seeds stored in moisture proof containers, like glass and plastic bottles, aluminum foil and polyethylene bags retained viability longer than in the moisture permeable cloth bags and paper packets.