Loss of Certified Maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) and Cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata</i> (L.) Walp.) Seed Viability during Storage in a Sub-Saharan Region: Analysis of Environmental Factors
- 1 National Seed Services (SENASEM), Kinshasa, RD-Congo
- 2 Regional Nuclear Energy Center, Kinshasa (CRENK), RD-Congo
- 3 Faculty of Agronomy, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa 11, RD-Congo
- 4 National Institute for Research and Agronomic Studies (INERA), Kinshasa 1, RD-Congo
- 5 Department of Biological Sciences, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
The objective of this study was to characterize environment factors involved in loss of seed viability during storage in open granaries. The temperature and relative humidity of the granary as well as the equilibrium moisture content of seeds were determined monthly. Their effects on the loss of viability of maize ( Zea mays L.) and cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) seeds were examined. The results showed that relative humidity levels > 65% associated with temperatures > 25°C (conditions in the open granary) do not guarantee safe storage of maize lots for a period of 9 to 12 months. Based on these data and the results of seed viability analysis, local environmental conditions in Gandajika (DR-Congo) and seed genetic background are the main factors for the rapid deterioration of seeds during storage. The germination rate correlated negatively with storage duration ( -0.94) and temperature (-0.57) while it correlates positively with the relative humidity (0.58) for both lots of maize analyzed. The same trend was observed with the two-cowpea varieties studied (IT82D-889 and Diamant). Similar work using more varieties in other granaries is required to validate key factors involved in seed viability during storage in targeted regions.
- Ellis, R.H. (1988) The Viability Equation, Seed Viability Nomographs and Practical Advice on Seed Storage. Seed Science and Technology, 16, 29-50.
- Xanthopoulos. G. (2020) Viability Modelling of Seeds and Sensitivity Analysis under Fluctuating Temperature and Moisture Content. Journal of Stored Products Research, 89, Article ID: 101708. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2020.101708
- Afzal, I., Bakhtavar, M.A., Ishfaq, M., Sagheer, M. and Baributsa, D. (2017) Maintaining Dryness during Storage Contributes to Higher Maize Seed Quality. Journal of Stored Products Research, 72, 49-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2017.04.001
- Kumar, D. and Kalita, P. (2017) Reducing Postharvest Losses during Storage of Grain Crops to Strengthen Food Security in Developing Countries. Foods, 6, Article No. 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods6010008
- Dickie, J.B., Ellis, R.H., Kraak, H.L., Ryder, K. and Tompsett, P.B. (1990) Temperature and Seed Storage Longevity. Annals of Botany, 65, 197-204. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aob.a087924
- Vertucci, C.W., Roos E.E. and Crane J. (1994) Theoretical Basis of Protocols for Seed Storage III. Optimum Moisture Contents for Pea Seeds Stored at Different Temperatures. Annals of Botany, 74, 531-540. https://doi.org/10.1006/anbo.1994.1151
- Shelar, V.R., Shaikh, R.S. and Nikam, A.S. (2008) Soybean Seed Quality during Storage: A Review. Agricultural Review, 29, 125-131
- Ellis, R.H. and Roberts, E.H. (1981) The Quantification of Ageing and Survival in Orthodox Seeds. Seed Science and Technology, 9, 373-409.
- Ellis, R.H. and Hong, T.D. (2006) Temperature Sensitivity of the Low Moisture Content Limit to Negative Seed Longevity—Moisture Content Relationships in Hermetic Storage. Annals of Botany, 97, 785-791. https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcl035
- Bradford, K.J., Dahal, P., Van Asbrouck, J., Kunusoth, K., Bello, P., Thompson, J. and Wu, F. (2018) The Dry Chain: Reducing Postharvest Losses and Improving Food Safety in Humid Climates. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 71, 84-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2017.11.002
- Strelec, I., Popovich, R., Ivanisic, I., Jurcovic, V., Jurcovic, Z., Hardi, Z. and Sabo, M. (2010) Influence of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Grain Moisture, Germination and Vigour of Three Wheat Cultivars during One Year Storage. Poljoprivreda, 16, 20-24.
- Suma, A., Sreenivasan, K., Singh, A.K. and Radhamani, J. (2013) Role of Relative Humidity in Processing and Storage of Seeds and Assessment of Variability in Storage Behaviour in Brassica spp and Eruca sativa. The Scientific World Journal, 2013, Article ID: 504141. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/504141