Influence of Accelerated Aged Seed on Seed Quality Parameters of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) Under Laboratory Conditions

Availability of good quality seed at the time of planting is most important factor for successful production of any crop. This is because, good quality seed not only ensure proper emergence but rapid establishment of seedling in the field that enhance the seed yield.   There are various factors such as temperature and moisture content which affect the quality of seed. Use of stored seed for sowing purposes results in poor yield due to physiological and biochemical changes during ageing. Deterioration of seed quality during ageing is a natural phenomenon. This is caused by alterations in various physiological viz. seed germination, seedling length, seed vigor and biochemical parameters such as seed leachate, seed viability and dehydrogenase activity. Changes in these parameters adversely affect seed yield and related characters. The present investigation on “Impact of accelerated ageing on the seed quality and yield contributing characters in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties” was conducted at Seed Testing laboratory and research block of seed science and technology, BFIT, Department of  Agriculture Uttara Khand during 2019-20. For this purpose four varieties of wheat viz. VL-802, VL-829, VL-892 and UP-1109 were subjected to accelerated ageing  at 450 C and 100 % relative humidity for 15, 30 and 45 days along with control. The experiment was laid out in CRD with three replications of each treatment. Under the laboratory conditions, every treatment showed significant difference for seed quality parameters after accelerated ageing. Variety VL-892 had more capability to maintain the seed quality attributes after 15, 30 and 45 days of accelerated ageing period as considered  being good storer under ambient condition. Whereas VL-829 and UP-1109 showed potential for medium-term   storage and VL-802 variety had poor storing potential based on the seed quality and yield parameters.