Retention of Sunflower Seed Vigour and Viability using Medicinal Herbs

Author(s): Kanp Uttam Kumar*

Abstract: Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L. cv. Morden) seeds lost viability rapidly under accelerated ageing condition. Pretreatment of the seeds with aqueous solution 1:25 (W/V) of two excellent medicinal herbs of leaf extract of basil (Ocimum sanctum L., Lamiaceae) and tuber extract of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. et Fernand, Liliaceae) for 8 hours before accelerated ageing treatment, (99.5% RH and 32±2oC) for different durations (0 to 30 days) slowed down the ageing-induced rapid loss of germination and reduced the time required for 50% seed germination (T50). TTC stainability was maintained to a considerable extent in seeds, which received, pre-treatment with the indigenous plant extracts. The reduction of protein and insoluble carbohydrate levels as well as activities of catalase and dehydrogenase enzymes of the seed kernels during forced ageing period was ameliorated to a significant extent in the plant extracts pre-treated seed lots of sunflower. On the other hand, ageing-induced progressive increase of levels of soluble carbohydrates and amino acids in control samples were remarkably arrested in seed lots pretreated with all the plant extracts. Considering the changes of all the biochemical parameters, the treatments were found to be effective for enhancing the storage potential with concomitant extension of viability of sunflower seeds. There have a lot of chemicals which was used for the purpose of seed viability extension but our pretreated agents are absolutely herbal and it is a modern research in indigenous technology to make the environment cleaned.

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