Abstract
The experiments were conducted following RCBD in farmers' field of Barisal district and CFS Farm of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Mymensingh. Health and quality tests were done following CRD at the Seed Pathology Centre, Plant Pathology Division, Bangladesh Rich Research Institute, Gazipur and Entomology and Plant Pathology Division, International Rice Research Institute, Los Baños, Philippines. A portion of farmer's stored rice seeds was used as uncleaned seeds. From another portion, the inert mater, other seeds, weed seeds, spotted, deformed, discoloured and unfilled grains were removed and was used as cleaned seeds. Cleaned and uncleaned seeds were sown in two separate plots and inspected regularly. Intercultural operations including rouging were done as and when necessary. The experiments were conducted for three consecutive Boro seasons starting from 2001-2002. Four storage containers viz Motka (earthen container), Painted motka, Plastic drum and Tin jar and four additives viz. chalk powder, dry leaves of neem (Azardirachta indica) and biskatali (Polygonum hydropiper) and Tamarind seeds (Tamarind indica) were used to preserve the seeds in the farmer's houses. The moisture content of the farmer's stored seeds was maximum (15.03%) during the first year while minimum (12.20%) in the third year. Percentage of pure seeds was highest (98.54%) in third year and lowest in the first year. Seed cleaning before sowing significantly reduced the amount of other crop seeds, weed seeds and inert matter. Cleaned seeds gave maximum germination as well as healthy seedlings with high vigour index. Seedling infection was low when cleaned seeds were sown. The proportion of spotted, discolored and deformed seed became low, thus the proportion of healthy seeds became high due to seed cleaning. Bipolaris oryzae, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, Microdochium oryzae, Trichoconis padwickii, and Aspergillus flavus were predominant in uncleaned seeds. Cleaned seeds had the least association of all seed borne fungi. Occurrences of major diseases in the field were low due to seed cleaning before sowing. Cleaned seeds produced more effective tillers, long panicle, and higher number of filled grains with 12.55% increase in yield. The seeds collected from central part of the seed plots, inspected at regular interval, removed unwanted plants, seed harvested and preserved at 12% moisture content in plastic drum with dry neem leaves sustain good health and high quality of the seeds.