Wood Charcoal and Ash to Maintain Seed Quality during Storage for Vegetable Seeds

Abstract

This research was conducted to investigate the efficacy of charcoal and ash in maintaining the quality of lettuce, cabbage, onion, pepper and carrot seeds during storage. The seeds were stored over charcoal and ash at a seed/material ratio of 1:1 and stored at room temperature (20°C) and at 35°C for 24 months. The control seeds were dried to between 5-6% seed moisture content and stored in hermetic packets at -20°C. Samples were collected from storage after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months and subjected to a germination test and ageing test at 45°C for 72 hours using 72% saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. There was no difference between the seed viability for the controls and treatments after 6-12 months at 20 and 35°C between the two storage methods. However, seed quality declined at 18 months and 24 months. This was seen in lettuce, onion and carrot seeds more than pepper and cabbage at both storage temperatures. Similarly, seed vigour also reduced with extended storage to 18 and 24 months. Results showed ash and charcoal can be used to maintain seed quality over 12 months even at 35°C.

Keywords

• Cabbage
• Carrot
• Germination
• Pepper
• Seed vigor

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