ASSESSMENT OF KENAF (Hibiscuss cannabinus L) SEED QUALITY AS AFFECTED BY STORAGE CONTAINER AND SEED MOISTURE CONTENT

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Jute Research Regional Station (JRRS), Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Kishoreganj, Bangladesh during 2011 and 2012 to assess of kenaf seed quality affected by seed moisture content and storage container. The study comprised four Seed Moisture Content (SMC) viz. 8%, 10%, 12% and 14% and five storage container viz. metal tin containers, plastic pot, aluminums foil, polyethylene bag and earthen pot. The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomized Design with four replications. Seed was stored in containers at around the specified moisture content as per experimental specification in January 2011 and 2012. Laboratory test for seed moisture content, germination and vigour were conducted at 2 month interval from start of storage till 12 months. Results revealed that seed germination percentage and vigour index were affected significantly due to seed moisture content at different month of testing during the period of storage. Aluminum foil bag, plastic pot, polythene bag and tin container at 8% and 10% moisture maintained more than 80% germination after 12 months of storage while those stored at 12% maintained above 80% germination for up to 6 month. On the other hand, seeds stored in aluminum foil bag, plastic pot, polythene bag and tin container at 14% SMC reached below 80% germination after 8 months of storage. Germination percentage and seed vigour index and moisture content of kenaf seed at different months of testing during storage period varied significantly. The seed stored in earthen pots at 8 and 10% SMC maintained above 80% germination for 2 months while those stored at 12 and 14% were failed. The present study concludes that kenaf seeds could be stored in aluminum foil bag, plastic pot, polythene bag and tin container at 8 and 10% moisture content for up to 12 months after completing post-harvest processing.

Full text

IJSAT: ISSN 1815-1272, Volume 11 Issue 9 2015
Title code: IJSAT/150902
6
Int. J. Sustain. Agril. Tech. 11(9): 06-14, September 2015
An online Journal of “G -Science Implementation & Publication”, website: www.gscience.net
ASSESSMENT OF KENAF (Hibiscuss cannabinus L) SEED QUALITY AS AFFECTED BY
STORAGE CONTAINER AND SEED MOISTURE CONTENT
M. ABUL FAZAL MOLLAH1, M. MOSHIUR RAHMAN2, M. MAHBUBUL ISLAM3, M. ZABLUL TAREQ4
and M. SHAHADAT HOSSAIN5*
1Principal Scientific Officer, Jute Research Regional Station (JRRS), Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI),
Rangpur, 2Professor, Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 3Chief
Scientific Officer, Agronomy Division, BJRI, Dhaka and 4Scientist (Applied Research), BARJ-Project Rangpur
Unit, BJRI, Rangpur and 5Senior Scientific Office, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
*Corresponding author’s Email: shahadatbjri@yahoo.com.
ABSTRACT
The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Jute Research Regional Station (JRRS), Bangladesh
Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Kishoreganj, Bangladesh during 2011 and 2012 to assess of kenaf seed
quality affected by seed moisture content and storage container. The study comprised four Seed Moisture
Content (SMC) viz. 8%, 10%, 12% and 14% and five storage container viz. metal tin containers, plastic
pot, aluminums foil, polyethylene bag and earthen pot. The experiment was laid in a Completely
Randomized Design with four replications. Seed was stored in containers at around the specified moisture
content as per experimental specification in January 2011 and 2012. Laboratory test for seed moisture
content, germination and vigour were conducted at 2 month interval from start of storage till 12 months.
Results revealed that seed germination percentage and vigour index were affected significantly due to seed
moisture content at different month of testing during the period of storage. Aluminum foil bag, plastic pot,
polythene bag and tin container at 8% and 10% moisture maintained more than 80% germination after 12
months of storage while those stored at 12% maintained above 80% germination for up to 6 month. On the
other hand, seeds stored in aluminum foil bag, plastic pot, polythene bag and tin container at 14% SMC
reached below 80% germination after 8 months of storage. Germination percentage and seed vigour index
and moisture content of kenaf seed at different months of testing during storage period varied significantly.
The seed stored in earthen pots at 8 and 10% SMC maintained above 80% germination for 2 months while
those stored at 12 and 14% were failed. The present study concludes that kenaf seeds could be stored in
aluminum foil bag, plastic pot, polythene bag and tin container at 8 and 10% moisture content for up to 12
months after completing post-harvest processing.
Keywords: Kenaf seed, Seed moisture, Storage container, Viability and Vigour.
INTRODUCTION
Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a fibre crop belonging to the family Malvaceae. In Bangladesh,
around 0.04 million hectares of land is now being under kenaf cultivation and the fibre production is
0.08-0.09 million tons per annum with average yields of 2.0-2.5 tons ha-1 (Mostofa, 2012). To cultivate
the said area, the farmers require about 400-480 tons of kenaf seed for every year. Many kenaf farmers
use to produce kenaf crops by their own or purchasing seeds to meet their requirements but such seeds
are of poor in quality. One of the most important problems for kenaf production in Bangladesh is the
non-availability of quality seed at proper time of sowing that create another major problem in the
expansion of area under kenaf cultivation. Seed storage and the retention of seed viability have always
been an important consideration in agricultural practice. Poor storage conditions give rise to
deterioration of seed quality and the resultant loss of viability. As jute, kenaf seeds are very delicate and
can be hydrated and dehydrated with ambient moisture. Seed deterioration increases as moisture content
increases (Harrington, 1972). Seeds stored in low moisture content or at low relative humidity retain
viability for longer period. Seeds kept in higher moisture content invite disease organisms and insects
that causes seed deterioration in storage (Pingale, 1978). Storage condition plays a significant role in
seed preservation. Storage containers of semi-permeable status may be of noteworthy for short term as
well as long term seed preservation. Seed growers at farm level use varieties of container (Hossain et
al.,1994; Islam, 2009 and Islam et al., 2002) although most of these are not conducive to seed health
because they are permeable in nature. Porous container allow in or out of moisture leading to rise of
seed moisture content and ultimately due to high moisture content seed losses its viability. Kreyger

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(1963) reported that seed can maintain viability for longer time if it is dried thoroughly and stored in
sealed container. Therefore, it is essential to select appropriate storage container and seed moisture
content for keeping seed with maximum viability for planting. The viability of kenaf seed in the warm
humid climate of Bangladesh is a major problem to growers. Due to lack of proper storage condition
farmers do not generally store seed for more than some weeks. The growers, therefore, throw away
surplus seed if any is left from the last year’s stock. The wastage may be reduced if a proper method of
storing for a few years could be adopted (Islam and Ali, 1981). Good seed may become bad due to
storage in improper container. Use of proper storage container to maintain the quality of farmer-saved
seed in storage and preserving its viability should be an important consideration to reduce seed loss and
increase crop yield (Samajpati et al., 1978). A very little information is available relating to storability
of kenaf seed. The objectives of the study was undertaken to assess suitable seed moisture content and
storage container through seed quality of kenaf crop.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Jute Research Regional Station (JRRS), Kishoreganj,
Bangladesh Jute Research Institute, during the period from January to December 2011 and was repeated in
2012. Kenaf variety HC-95 was used as test crop and collected from Jute Research Regional Station,
Kishoreganj with proper agronomic management. The crop was harvested at full maturity. After proper
processing, cleaning and drying the seed was then stored safely for experimentation. The seed was dried in
the sun on a triple set on the cemented floor for making moisture content as per experimental specification
and stored in the containers viz., 1) Metal container, 2) Plastic pot, 3) Aluminum foil bag, 4) Polythene
bag and 5) Earthen pot. In 2011, the experiment was initiated on 5 January while that on 7 January in
2012. Each container was completely filled with seed as per experimental need and then made air tight.
The containers were kept in the laboratory under ambient room condition. After 2, 4, 8, 10 and 12 months
storage seeds were then tested for different quality parameters i.e. seed moisture content, germination
percentage, vigour index. The experiment was designed in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with
four replicates. Seed moisture content was measured using high constant temperature oven dry method
following ISTA rules (ISTA, 2003). About 5-8g of seeds were taken in the aluminum dish and dried in the
oven at 130oC for 2 hours (Until constant weight achieved). Then the samples were cooled in a desecrator
and weighed. Subsequently the moisture content was calculated by following ISTA (2003). The test was
conducted on top of the paper method. One hundred seeds in four replicates were placed on the moist
paper in petridish (11 cm diameter). The petridishes were kept in the germinator set at 30±1oC
temperatures. Daily counting of the germinating seedlings were done up to 8 days of seed setting. The
number of normal seedling was counted at 8 DAS and the germination percentage of seed was measured
with the following ISTA, 2003. The numbers of germinated seedlings were counted daily from the
germination test up to 8 days. The seed vigor index (VI) was then calculated by following formula AOSA
(Association of Official Seed Analysis), 1983. The collected data of different seed quality parameters were
subjected to statistical analysis following ANOVA technique. Differences among treatment means were
adjusted by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) with the help of a computer based statistical package
program MSTAT-C.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Germination percentage and seed vigour index were affected significantly due to seed moisture content
at different month of testing during the period of storage. At each of the observation period it was found
that the germination and vigour index decreased with increasing initial seed moisture content. The
germination of seed having 8% SMC was 92.10% and 93.71% at 2 month while that was only 85.05%
and 86.71% for seed with 14% SMC. At 12 month, the germination for seed with 8% SMC was 67.45%
and 68.9% whereas that for 14% SMC was only 52.00% and 53.27% in 2011 and 2012 (Fig.1).
Germination percentage and seed vigour index and moisture content of kenaf seed at different months
of testing during storage period varied significantly. The germination was the highest with seeds stored
in aluminum foil bag and the lowest in earthen pot container at each observation period in 2011 and
2012. It was also noted that the germination and vigour index. The germination was 92.56% and

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94.35% in 2011 and 2012 at the start of storage which became 90.00, 90.13, 90.63, 89.75 and 80.56% in
2011 and 91.75, 91.82, 92.38, 91.43 and 82.13% in 2012 at 2 month after storage for seeds stored in
metal container, plastic pot, aluminum foil, polythene bag and earthen pot respectively. The
corresponding values at 12 month after storage were 73.94, 75.75, 77.81, 72.63 and 0.00% in 2011 and
75.78, 77.59, 79.65, 74.39 and 0.00% in 2012 (Fig.1).
2011
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
24681012
Germination (%)
Metal container Plastic pot Aluminum foil
Polythene bag Earthen pot
2012
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
24681012
germination (%)
Metal container Plastic pot Aluminum foil
Polythene bag Earthen pot
2011
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
24681012
Storage duration (month)
Germin ation (%)
8% 10% 12% 14%
2012
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
24681012
Storage duration (month)
Germination (%)
8% 10% 12% 14%
Fig. 1. Effect of container and initial seed moisture content on germination percentage of kenaf seed at
different storage duration in 2011 and 2012 (Vertical bar represents standard error of mean).
2011
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
24681012
Vigour index
Metal container Plastic pot Aluminum foil
Polythene bag Earthen pot
2012
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2 4 6 8 10 12
Vigour index
Metal container Plastic pot Aluminum foil
Polythene bag Earthen pot
2011
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
24681012
Storage duration (month)
Vigour index
8% 10% 12% 14%
2012
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
24681012
Storage duration (month)
Vigour index
8% 10% 12% 14%
Fig. 2. Effect of container and initial seed moisture content on vigor index of kenaf seed at different
storage duration in 2011 and 2012 (Vertical bar represents standard error of mean).
The vigour index at 2 month for seed with 8% SMC was 49.69 and 50.75 but that was only 45.47 and
46.43 for seed with 14% SMC. At 12 month, the vigour index for seed with 8% SMC was 35.35 and

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36.04 whereas that was only 27.87 and 28.42 for seed having 14% SMC in 2011 and 2012 (Fig. 2). The
vigour index was declined with length of storage and also due to type of storage containers. The vigour
index at 2 month with seed stored in metal container, plastic pot, aluminum foil, polythene bag and
earthen pot were 48.57, 48.49, 49.01, 48.33 and 42.76 in 2011 and 49.57, 49.56, 50.09, 49.35 and 43.67
in 2012 respectively. These values for different containers at 12 month were 39.10, 39.92, 41.11, 38.47
and 0.00 in 2011 and 39.88, 40.71, 41.92, 39.21 and 0.00 in 2012 respectively (Fig. 2). The result
showed that germination capacity as well as the vigour of seed declined with storage period. However,
the decline was very rapid for seed stored at higher initial moisture content. The decrease in
physiological qualities of seed depends on the seed moisture content in storage. It was found that the
seed moisture content increased with the length of storage period. The highest values were found with
seed having 8% initial seed moisture content (SMC) and the lowest with seed having 14% SMC in 2011
and 2012. The increase was higher for the seed that stored at 14% SMC than those stored at 8% SMC.
The seed moisture content at the start of storage was 8.0% which became 8.52%, 9.37%, 9.99%,
10.36%, 10.61% and 11.06% respectively in 2011 and 8.50%, 9.35%, 9.95%, 10.33%, 10.58% and
11.05% respectively in 2012 at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 month. The seed stored at 14% SMC attained the
moisture contents of 14.48%, 14.76%, 15.23%, 15.32%, 15.83%, and 16.23%, respectively and 14.43%,
14.72%, 15.21%, 15.28%, 15.81% and 16.18%, respectively at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 month (Fig. 3).
2011
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24681012
Seed moisture content (%)
Metal container Plastic pot Aluminum foil
Polythene bag Earthen pot
2012
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24681012
Seed moisture content (%)
Metal conta iner Plastic pot Aluminum foil
Polythene bag Earthen pot
2011
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24681012
Storage duration (month)
Seed moisture content (%)
8% 10% 12% 14%
2012
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
24681012
Storage duration (month)
Seed moisture content (%)
8% 10% 12% 14%
Fig. 3. Effect of container and initial seed moisture content on moisture content of kenaf seed at
different storage duration in 2011 and 2012 [Vertical bar represents LSD (0.05)].
Thus the result showed that the seed stored at lower moisture content absorbed less moisture than those
stored at higher moisture content. Thus the result clearly indicates that seed moisture content is a vital
factor to determine the physiological quality of seed. The storage container had significant effect on
seed moisture content of kenaf at each of the observation period during the storage period in 2011 and
2012. Earthen pot showed higher seed moisture content than other storage container at each of the
observation period for both the years. In 2011, the average moisture content of seed in aluminum foil
were 11.18%, 11.44%, 11.63%, 11.69%, 11.87% and 12.00 % at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months,
respectively and those for seed in earthen pot were 12.96%, 14.02%, 15.13%, 16.21%, 16.85% and
17.85%, respectively. In 2012, the moisture content of seed in aluminum foil were 11.14%, 11.40%,
11.60%, 11.66%, 11.84% and 11.97% at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 month, respectively and those for seed in
earthen pot were 12.90%, 13.98%, 15.07%, 16.18%, 16.81% and 17.83%, respectively (Fig. 3). The
result showed that seed moisture content was the highest for seeds stored in earthen pot while the lowest
for those stored in aluminum foil bag.

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Table 1. Interaction effect of storage container and initial seed moisture content on germination of kenaf
seed at different storage duration in 2011.
Storage container ×
initial SMC Storage duration
2 month 4 month 6 month 8 month 10 month 12 month
C1 × M1 92.75
(71.86)abc 91.75
(64.36) 87.50
(58.96 ) 85.50
(56.85)a 85.25
( 65.10)ab 84.00
( 64.15)ab
C1 × M2 90.00
(69.50)abcde 87.75
(59.26) 85.50
(56.80) 85.00
(56.22)a 83.00
(63.36)b 81.75
( 62.44)bc
C1 × M3 89.00
(68.25)bcde 85.50
(57.24) 80.25
(51.53) 76.00
(47.74)c 70.25
(54.94)de 66.00
(52.44)fg
C1 × M4 88.25
(67.57)de 83.50
(54.68) 75.25
(47.11) 70.00
(42.88)d 67.25
(53.15)e 64.00
(51.26)gh
C2 × M1 93.00
(72.11)ab 92.00
(64.89) 88.75
(60.52) 86.00
(57.53)a 85.50
(65.29)ab 84.75
(64.70)a
C2 × M2 90.00
(69.61)abcde 88.00
(59.59) 86.00
(57.53) 84.50
(55.65)a 83.00
(63.35)b 81.75
(62.44)bc
C2 × M3 89.00
(68.16)cde 87.00
(58.47) 80.75
(51.97) 77.00
(48.59)bc 73.00
(56.65)d 70.50
(55.11)e
C2 × M4 88.50
(67.81)de 85.50
(57.01) 78.50
(49.94) 74.00
(46.06)cd 69.50
(54.49)de 66.00
(52.43)fg
C3 × M1 93.25
(72.57)a 92.50
(65.64) 90.25
(62.99) 87.00
(58.56)a 86.00
(65.83)a 85.00
( 64.90)a
C3 × M2 91.00
(70.14)abcde 90.00
(62.73) 88.25
(59.92) 86.00
(57.53)a 84.50
( 64.46)ab 82.75
(63.16)abc
C3 × M3 89.75
(68.99)abcde 87.25
(58.72) 84.50
(55.65) 80.50
(51.77)b 76.75
(59.03)c 75.50
(58.22) d
C3 × M4 88.50
(67.75)de 85.75
(57.17) 80.75
(51.97) 75.00
(46.90)c 71.25
(55.57)d 68.00
(53.59)ef
C4 × M1 92.25
(71.46)abcd 91.00
(63.63) 86.75
(58.06) 85.50
(56.85)a 84.00
(64.10)ab 83.50
(63.73)ab
C4 × M2 89.75
(68.96)abcde 87.00
(58.47) 85.00
(56.21) 84.50
(55.65)a 82.50
(63.01)b 80.00
(61.23) c
C4 × M3 88.75
(67.93)cde 85.00
(56.19) 80.00
(51.29) 74.00
(46.07)cd 69.75
(54.64)de 65.00
(51.86)fgh
C4 × M4 88.25
(67.51)e 82.00
(53.18) 74.50
(46.47) 70.00
(42.89)d 66.75
(52.86)e 62.00
(50.11)h
C5 × M1 89.25
(68.40)bcde 69.00
(42.11) 56.00
(32.88) 6.00
(3.32)e 0.00
(0.00)f 0.00
(0.00)i
C5 × M2 88.25
(67.51)e 67.00
(40.59) 52.00
(30.24) 4.000
(2.21)e 0.00
(0.00)f 0.00
(0.00)i
C5 × M3 73.00
(56.71)f 62.00
(36.97) 48.75
(28.15) 2.750
(1.52)e 0.00
(0.00)f 0.00
(0.00)i
C5 × M4 71.75
(55.86)f 60.00
(35.58) 40.00
(22.75) 1.00
(0.55) e 0.00
(0.00)f 0.00
(0.00)i
Level of Sig. *** NS NS *** *** ***
***= Significant at 0.1% level, NS= Not Significant. In a column, figures having similar letter(s) do not differ significantly at 5%
level as per DMRT. Note: C1= Tin container, C2= Plastic pot, C3=Aluminum foil, C4= Polythene bag C5= Earthen pot, M1= 8%
Seed moisture content (SMC), M2= 10% SMC, M3=12% SMC, M4=14% SMC.
The study shows that the highest germination percentage and vigour index were found while the seeds
were stored in aluminum foil bag. This value also higher while the seeds stored in plastic pot, metal
container and polythene bag than those stored in earthen pot at 8% SMC. The reason of higher seed
viability in aluminum foil bag, plastic pot, metal container and polythene bag may be due to lower
moisture content (8%) of seed because of their higher degree of air tight condition. The present study
showed that earthen pot provided little protection against moisture penetration while other containers
were more effective in preventing moisture uptake. Clay pots and gunny bags showed an increase in
moisture content and sharp decline seed viability within a year of storage than air tight tin cans and air
tight glass jar (Naznin et al., 2005). Jayaraj et al. (1988) conducted a trial with okra seed at Tamil
Nadu Agricultural University, India and reported that the seeds stored in aluminum foil pouches
showed the highest percentage germination after the end of storage. Vanangamudi (1988) noted
that seeds stored in aluminum foil containers showed higher vigor while he was working with soybean

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seed. Karim et al. (2005) reported that seeds stored in moisture impervious containers like sealed
aluminum foil bag and polyethylene bag showed superior germination, vigour and field performance
than other containers. The lowest quality seed regarding germination and vigour was found while the
seeds were stored for the longest period of 12 months. Naturally in normal weather condition, the
seed germination and vigour may be decreased with the increase of storage periods. Kaul et al.
(1990) reported that germination of any crop seed decreased with the increase of storage period,
where the present results corroborate with their statement. Germination, seed vigour index differed
significantly due to interaction of initial seed moisture content and storage container. The seed kept at
8% moisture content and in glass jar showed that highest germination and vigour index during storage.
The germination of seed 8% SMC and aluminum foil bag at 2 month were 93.25% and 94.88% while
the lowest value (71.75% and 73.18% ) were found with seed kept at 14% SMC and earthen pot in 2011
and 2012. The corresponding highest and lowest values for 12 month were (85.00% and 86.65%) and
(0.00% and 0.00%) in 2011 and 2012 respectively (Table 1 and table 2). At 2 month the highest vigour
index of seed (50.45 and 51.56) was found in seed kept in aluminum foil bag at 8% SMC while the
lowest value (37.64 and 38.47) was found with seed kept at 14% SMC and in earthen pot in 2011 and
Table 2. Interaction effect of storage container and initial seed moisture content on germination of kenaf
seed at different storage duration in 2012.
Storage container × initial SMC Storage duration
2 month 4 month 6 month 8 month 10 month 12 month
C1 × M1 94.61
(74.04)ab 93.58
(72.82) 89.25
(61.05) 87.21
(66.75)a 86.77
(66.32)ab 85.86
(65.58)a
C1 × M2 91.80
(71.46)abcd 89.50
(68.66) 87.21
(58.71) 86.70
(66.24)a 84.66
( 64.62)ab 83.88
(64.00) ab
C1 × M3 90.78
(69.92)bcd 87.21
(67.08) 81.86
(53.06) 77.52
(59.53)c 71.65
(55.80)de 67.72
(53.45)ef
C1 × M4 89.83
(69.01)d 85.17
(65.02) 76.75
(48.40 ) 71.40
(55.65)d 68.60
(53.95)e 65.67
(52.23)fg
C2 × M1 94.42
(73.71)abc 93.84
(73.35) 90.53
(62.79) 87.54
(67.16)a 86.78
(66.33)ab 86.63
(66.18)a
C2 × M2 91.80
(71.76)abcd 89.76
(68.93) 87.72
(59.55) 86.19
(65.79)a 84.66
(64.60)ab 83.88
(64.01)ab
C2 × M3 90.78
(69.81)bcd 88.74
(68.04) 82.37
(53.52 ) 78.54
(60.21)bc 74.33
(57.49)d 72.33
(56.23)d
C2 × M4 90.27
(69.44)cd 87.21
(66.89) 80.07
(51.37) 75.48
(58.20)cd 70.55
(55.12)de 67.52
(53.33) ef
C3 × M1 94.88
(74.53)a 94.13
(73.69) 91.12
(63.81) 88.17
(67.57)a 87.33
(66.92)a 86.65
(66.21)a
C3 × M2 92.82
(72.07)abcd 91.32
(70.78) 90.01
(62.14) 87.72
(67.31)a 86.19
(65.78)ab 84.90
(64.78)ab
C3 × M3 91.54
(70.77)abcd 89.00
(68.24) 86.19
(57.45) 82.11
(62.72)b 78.29
(60.05)c 77.46
(59.49)c
C3 × M4 90.27
(69.36)cd 87.46
(67.01) 82.37
(53.52) 76.50
(58.86)c 72.68
(56.45)d 69.57
(54.52)de
C4 × M1 93.61
(72.87)abcd 92.34
(71.55) 88.49
(60.05 87.21
(66.75)a 85.68
( 65.40) ab 85.38
(65.17) a
C4 × M2 91.54
(70.73)abcd 88.56
(67.89) 86.70
(58.06) 86.19
(65.79)a 84.15
(64.25) b 82.08
(62.70) b
C4 × M3 90.53
(69.54)cd 86.70
(66.22) 81.60
(52.80) 75.48
(58.20)cd 71.15
(55.49)de 66.49
(52.72)efg
C4 × M4 90.01
(69.09)d 83.64
(63.84) 75.99
(47.72) 71.40
(55.65)d 68.08
(53.65)e 63.61
(51.03)g
C5 × M1 91.04
(70.07)bcd 70.38
(55.03) 57.12
(33.63) 6.120
(13.80)e 0.00
(0.00)f 0.00
(0.00)h
C5 × M2 89.83
(68.93)d 68.34
(53.79) 53.04
(30.92) 4.080
(11.23)ef 0.00
(0.00)f 0.00
(0.00)h
C5 × M3 74.46
(57.64)e 63.24
(50.82) 49.72
(28.77) 2.807
(9.295)f 0.00
(0.00)f 0.00
(0.00)h
C5 × M4 73.18
(56.76)e 61.20
(49.66) 40.80
(23.24) 1.020
(5.590)g 0.00
(0.00)f 0.00
(0.00)h
Level of Sig. *** NS NS *** *** ***

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Title code: IJSAT/150902
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and 2012 (Table 3 and table 4) and at 2 month, moisture content was lowest (8.24% and 8.22%) with
seed kept in aluminum foil bag at 8% SMC and the highest (15.31% and 15.19%) in earthen pot in both
the years.
Table 3. Interaction effect of storage container and initial seed moisture content on vigor index of kenaf
seed at different storage duration in 2011.
Storage container× initial
SMC Storage duration
0 month 2 month 4 month 6 month 8 month 10 month 12 month
C1 × M1 52.06 50.16ab 49.09 46.79 45.46ab 44.35 bcd 44.13 abc
C1 × M2 51.06 48.49abcd 46.83 45.58 44.58bcd 43.67cde 42.81de
C1 × M3 50.42 48.08bcd 45.62 42.40 41.50e 37.35g 34.90 i
C1 × M4 50.24 47.56d 43.29 40.35 36.85h 35.33h 34.56 ij
C2 × M1 52.06 50.03ab 49.38 47.84 45.92a 45.27ab 44.38ab
C2 × M2 51.06 48.49abcd 47.86 45.70 43.83d 43.67cde 43.21cd
C2 × M3 50.42 48.28bcd 46.24 42.85 41.87e 39.04f 37.33g
C2 × M4 50.24 47.17d 44.54 41.46 39.57fg 37.39g 34.78i
C3 × M1 52.06 50.45a 49.59 48.76 46.11a 45.97a 44.58a
C3 × M2 51.06 49.19abcd 48.68 46.33 45.25abc 44.67bc 43.44bcd
C3 × M3 50.42 48.53abcd 46.59 45.07 44.50cd 43.37 de 40.12f
C3 × M4 50.24 47.87cd 44.74 42.47 40.34f 37.83g 36.31h
C4 × M1 52.06 49.72abc 48.15 46.31 44.53cd 44.16cde 43.66abcd
C4 × M2 51.06 48.51abcd 46.21 45.06 43.83d 43.27 e 42.13e
C4 × M3 50.42 47.93cd 45.33 42.07 39.27g 36.82 g 34.42ij
C4 × M4 50.24 47.14d 43.85 39.33 36.75h 34.54h 33.68j
C5 × M1 52.06 48.11bcd 36.55 30.68 0.00i 0.00i 0.00k
C5 × M2 51.06 47.16d 35.67 28.19 0.00i 0.00i 0.00k
C5 × M3 50.42 38.10e 34.92 27.17 0.00i 0.00i 0.00k
C5 × M4 50.24 37.64e 31.41 25.10 0.00i 0.00i 0.00k
Level of Significance NS *** NS
N
S *** *** ***
Table 4. Interaction effects of storage container and initial seed moisture content on vigor index of
kenaf seed at different storage duration in 2012.
Storage container × initial
SMC Storage duration
0 month 2 month 4 month 6 month 8 month 10 month 12 month
C1 × M1 53.16 51.20ab 50.07 47.72 46.00abc 45.19bcd 45.01abc
C1 × M2 52.14 49.55abcde 47.77 46.48 45.12cde 44.58cd 43.66de
C1 × M3 51.23 49.13bcde 46.29 43.18 41.96f 38.14f 35.60i
C1 × M4 51.30 48.40de 44.16 41.15 37.30i 36.06g 35.25ij
C2 × M1 53.16 51.13ab 50.37 48.80 46.47ab 46.22ab 45.23ab
C2 × M2 52.14 49.55abcde 48.78 46.61 44.36e 44.58cd 44.06cd
C2 × M3 51.48 49.33bcde 47.17 43.69 42.37f 39.86e 38.07g
C2 × M4 51.30 48.21de 45.37 42.29 40.04gh 38.17f 35.48i
C3 × M1 53.16 51.56a 50.58 49.56 46.66a 46.94a 45.48a
C3 × M2 52.14 50.27abcd 49.60 47.20 45.71bcd 45.60bc 44.24bcd
C3 × M3 51.47 49.60abcde 47.52 45.97 45.03de 44.28d 40.92f
C3 × M4 51.24 48.92cde 45.64 43.32 40.83g 38.55f 37.03 h
C4 × M1 53.16 50.71abc 48.87 47.23 45.07de 44.97cd 44.47bcd
C4 × M2 52.14 49.53abcde 47.13 45.96 44.35e 44.18d 42.93e
C4 × M3 51.48 48.98cde 46.24 42.92 39.68h 37.57f 35.10ij
C4 × M4 51.30 48.18de 44.72 40.12 37.14i 35.27g 34.36j
C5 × M1 53.06 49.14bcde 37.19 31.30 0.00j 0.00h 0.00k
C5 × M2 52.11 48.14e 36.24 28.64 0.00j 0.00h 0.00k
C5 × M3 51.48 38.94f 35.62 27.72 0.00j 0.00h 0.00k
C5 × M4 51.30 38.47f 32.03 25.48 0.00j 0.00h 0.00k
Level of Significance NS *** NS NS *** *** ***
The corresponding lowest and highest values for 12 month were (9.32% and 9.31%) and (18.92% and
18.90%) in 2011 and 2012 respectively (Table 5 and table 6). The best quality seed in respect of seed
germination and vigour was recorded when the seeds were stored for 8% SMC compared to that of
14% SMC. Naturally in normal weather condition, the seed quality in respect of germination and
vigour may be decreased with the increase of initial seed moisture content. Lower moisture content
of seeds inhibits unusual respiration of seed, can protect the seed food materials against any pest

IJSAT: ISSN 1815-1272, Volume 11 Issue 9 2015
Title code: IJSAT/150902
13
infestation. Higher the food materials stocked in seed higher the speed of germination i.e., vigor of the
seed. Higher seed moisture absorbed by earthen pot helped in increasing seed respiration
leading to lower speed of germination i.e., seed vigor index. Reduction of seed quality regarding seed
vigor with the increase of initial SMC was also reported by Arulandhy and Senanayake (1991)
while they worked with soybean seed. Sobhan and Khatun(1986) in a storage experiment conducted
at room temperature reported that kenaf and mesta seeds stored with moisture content of 14.3- 24.5%
had a sharp decline in viability and vigour with the increase of storage period.
Table 5. Interaction effect of storage container and initial seed moisture content on final seed moisture
content of kenaf seed at different storage duration in 2011.
Storage container × initial SMC Storage duration
0 month 2 month 4 month 6 month 8 month 10 month 12 month
C1 × M1 7.945 8.050m 8.945k 9.085l 9.262j 9.350i 9.555 i
C1 × M2 9.980 10.01i 10.08j 10.27j 10.36h 10.43h 10.86h
C1 × M3 11.99 12.07g 12.99f 12.38h 12.97e 13.06g 13.21g
C1 × M4 13.99 14.09d 14.19d 14.95c 15.03b 15.19de 15.70d
C2 × M1 7.945 8.552k 8.858k 9.052l 9.170j 9.310i 9.417i
C2 × M2 9.980 10.11i 10.20j 10.27j 10.30h 10.52h 10.74h
C2 × M3 11.99 12.21efg 12.34gh 12.59gh 12.65f 12.70g 13.11g
C2 × M4 13.99 14.36c 14.58c 14.88cd 15.06b 15.49cd 15.59d
C3 × M1 7.945 8.245l 8.755k 9.017l 9.153j 9.260i 9.323i
C3 × M2 9.980 10.11i 10.18j 10.26j 10.27h 10.44h 10.55h
C3 × M3 11.99 12.14fg 12.30h 12.52h 12.60f 12.88g 13.02g
C3 × M4 13.99 14.23cd 14.55c 14.72de 14.75c 14.92e 15.11e
C4 × M1 7.945 8.352l 8.943k 9.517k 9.700i 10.15h 10.75h
C4 × M2 9.980 10.56h 11.27i 11.86i 11.98g 12.89g 13.10g
C4 × M3 11.99 12.32ef 12.56g 12.82g 13.40d 14.20f 14.35f
C4 × M4 13.99 14.41c 14.55c 14.89cd 15.05 b 15.70c 15.85cd
C5 × M1 7.945 9.413j 11.34i 13.31f 14.50 c 15.00e 16.25c
C5 × M2 9.98 12.40e 13.50e 14.60e 16.73 a 17.20b 17.92b
C5 × M3 11.99 14.72b 15.31b 15.91b 16.89 a 17.39ab 18.32b
C5 × M4 13.99 15.31a 15.94a 16.71a 16.71 a 17.83a 18.92a
CV (%) 1.02 1.20 1.34 1.31 1.46 2.53 2.17
Level of significance NS *** *** *** *** *** ***
Table 6. Interaction effect of storage container and initial moisture content on final seed moisture
content of kenaf seed at different storage duration in 2012.
Storage container ×
initial SMC Storage duration
0 month 2 month 4 month 6 month 8 month 10 month 12 month
C1 × M1 7.925 8.030 l 8.907 k 9.075 l 9.230k 9.340i 9.545i
C1 × M2 9.960 9.988 h 10.06 j 10.26j 10.33i 10.42h 10.85h
C1 × M3 11.97 12.06 f 12.96 f 12.35h 12.95f 13.04g 13.16g
C1 × M4 13.96 14.06d 14.15d 14.93c 15.01b 15.17de 15.51d
C2 × M1 7.925 8.533 j 8.837k 9.003l 9.120k 9.300i 9.408i
C2 × M2 9.960 10.09 h 10.17j 10.26j 10.29i 10.51h 10.73h
C2 × M3 11.97 12.17ef 12.32gh 12.58gh 12.63g 12.68g 13.09g
C2 × M4 13.96 14.33c 14.55c 14.85cd 14.94bc 15.47cd 15.57d
C3 × M1 7.925 8.225kl 8.735k 8.998l 9.142k 9.170i 9.313i
C3 × M2 9.960 10.07h 10.12j 10.24j 10.26i 10.42h 10.51h
C3 × M3 11.97 12.12ef 12.27h 12.48h 12.50g 12.86g 13.01g
C3 × M4 13.96 14.16cd 14.47c 14.69de 14.73cd 14.90e 15.07e
C4 × M1 7.925 8.295k 8.922k 9.507k 9.690j 10.10h 10.74h
C4 × M2 9.960 10.54g 11.25i 11.84i 11.95h 12.87g 13.06g
C4 × M3 11.97 12.30e 12.53g 12.80g 13.38e 14.18f 14.32f
C4 × M4 13.96 14.38c 14.52c 14.86cd 15.03b 15.68c 15.83cd
C5 × M1 7.925 9.392i 11.32i 13.15f 14.48d 14.98e 16.22c
C5 × M2 9.960 12.33e 13.47e 14.58e 16.68a 17.16b 17.89b
C5 × M3 11.97 14.69b 15.23b 15.86b 16.87a 17.29b 18.30b
C5 × M4 13.96 15.19a 15.89a 16.69a 16.69a 17.81a 18.90a
CV (%) 1.03 1.34 1.42 1.34 1.50 2.57 2.22
Level of Significance NS *** *** *** *** *** ***

IJSAT: ISSN 1815-1272, Volume 11 Issue 9 2015
Title code: IJSAT/150902
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CONCLUSION
It is concluded that kenaf seeds could be stored safely for at least twelve months with more than 80%
germination if stored in aluminum foil bag, plastic pot, metal container and polythene bag at 8%
moisture content. Based on the present study, it could be concluded that earthen pot was not safe for
kenaf seed storage for long time than the aluminum foil bag, metal container, plastic pot and polythene
bag. Seeds stored in aluminum foil bag, plastic pot, tin container and polythene bag at 8-10 % moisture
content retained very high (>80%) germination for more than one year.
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