Abstract
Five experiments involving different storage factors such as storage relative humidity (RH), storage container, initial seed moisture content (SMC), storage condition, genotype and drying method were included in the present study to evaluate their effects on germination performance of soybean seed. Among the five experiments, experiment 1 was conducted at the Seed Laboratory, Agronomy Department, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh in 2008 and 2009, while the rests were done during 2008- 2010 at the Seed Laboratory, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Jamalpur. Experiment 1 included four storage RH (viz.; 50, 60, 70 and 80%), two storage containers, viz; cloth bag (CB) and polythene bag (PB) and two initial SMC (viz.; 8% and 12%). The highest germination performance and field emergence were recorded from seeds stored in PB with 8% SMC at 50% RH. Experiment 2 involved four storage containers (viz.; polythene bag, plastic pot, metalic can and glass jar) and three initial SMC (viz.; 8, 10 and 12%) in 2008 and four initial SMC (viz.; 6, 8, 10 and 12%) in 2009. The best germination performance and field emergence were recorded from seeds stored at 6-8% SMC in polythene bag or plastic pot or glass jar. In experiment 3, two storage condition (viz.; cool room condition, 5-8 °C and ambient room condition, 23-32 °C), two storage containers (viz; CB and PB) and seventeen soybean genotypes (viz; GS 335, AGS 191, ASET 93, Golarsin, PK 262, Amber, MTD 459, MTD 453, AGS 205, GMOT 17, AGS 313, PK 416, AGS 129, ASET 95, BARI soybean 5, G 2 and Shohag) were included. Storing in polythene bag at 8% SMC seeds of most genotypes showed best performance when kept in cool room condition but only AGS 191, ASET 93, BARI soybean 5, G 2 and Shohag exhibited best performance at ambient condition. Experiment 4 comprised two storage containers (viz.; PB and glass jar), four initial SMC (viz.; 6, 8, 10 and 12%) and three genotypes (viz; AGS 191, ASET 93 and Shohag). All these genotypes showed highest germination performance for storing in polythene bag at 6 to 8% initial SMC. Experiment 5 involved eight drying methods (viz.; drying on cemented floor, on triple over cemented floor, on bamboo chatai over cemented floor, on cloth over cemented floor, on earthen floor, on triple over earthen floor, on bamboo chatai over earthen floor, on cloth over earthen floor before storing) which showed that sun drying of soybean seed to 8% SMC on triple over a cemented floor exhibited the highest germination performance. The present study concludes that soybean seed could be stored from one rabi season to the next safely by storing in polythene bag after sun drying to 6-8% SMC on triple over a cemented floor.