Effect of storage relative humidity on germination and vigour of wheat seed

This study was conducted during the period from June to November, 2004 with a view to study the effect
of storage relative humidity (RH) on germination and vigour of wheat seed. Four different storage relative
humidities (viz. 50%, 60%, 70% and 80%) and two crop varieties (wheat cv. Satabdi and wheat cv.
Gourab) were used as treatment variables. Seed moisture content (SMC), germination and vigour test of
seeds were done at one months interval starting from 10 July to 10 November 2004, while the initial test for
SMC and germination was done on 10 June, 2004. The results showed that storage relative humidity, crop
variety and their interaction significantly influenced the seed moisture content, germination and vigour
index. The moisture contents of wheat seed in storage were found between 7.9-8.8, 9.5-10.0, 12.0-12.5 and
15.3-16.0%, respectively for 50, 60, 70 and 80% RH against their initial moisture content of 8.4-9.5% just
before storage. The germination and vigour of all the varieties decreased with increases RH. For each of the
crop variety, the highest germination was obtained at 50% RH. No seed germination was occurred in any of
the variety stored at 80% RH after two months of storage. More than 92% seed germination was recorded
from all the varieties after 6 months of storage. The seeds kept at 70% RH showed 83% germination in July
2004 that reduced to 74% in November.