Effect of microwaves on seed quality of sorghum

DHRUVA N BHAGWATKAR; DESHPANDE V K; HILLI J S; HANAMARATTI N G

doi:10.61475/JFS.2023.v36i3.14

DHRUVA N BHAGWATKAR Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
DESHPANDE V K Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
HILLI J S Department of Seed Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India
HANAMARATTI N G Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad - 580 005, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61475/JFS.2023.v36i3.14

Keywords: Biochemical parameters, Field parameters, Microwaves, Seed treatment, Seed quality enhancement, Sorghum

Abstract

Due to ageing of seed over the time, seed losses its vigour and viability, which makes it unfit for sowing. So the
study was conducted to check the efficacy of microwaves for seed treatment for seed quality enhancement. The objective
of the study was to understand the effect of microwaves on physiological and biochemical attributes of seed quality of aged
sorghum seeds. The sorghum seeds were subjected to ageing for 96 h of variety SPV-2217 to microwaves seed treatments
of different intensities and time period i.e.30% intensity, 40% intensity and 50% intensity for 30 and 40 seconds which
were compared with untreated control and seeds primed with CaCl2 (2% for 8 h). Data was analyzed using completely
randomized design and randomized block design with three replications.Considering the seed quality parameters the highest
mean germination (82.33%), shoot length (16.8 cm), root length (16.2 cm), vigour index I (2717) and least electrical
conductivity (0.773 dSm-1) was noted in the seeds treated at 30% intensity for 40 seconds followed by the treatment 40%
intensity for 30 seconds. The seedling dry weight (22.63 mg/seedling) and vigour index II (1848) was highest in the
treatment 30% intensity for 30 seconds. These seed quality parameters were supported by biochemical parameters in
which the treatment 40% intensity for 30 seconds showed highest traits for catalase (6.542 μM of H2O2 decomposed/min/
mg protein), peroxidase (0.0484 μM min/mg protein of tetraguaiacol formed) and superoxide dismutase (16.69 units/mg
protein), while alpha amylase was highest (0.611 μmol/min/mg protein) in 30% intensity for 30 seconds and proline
(4.03 μM/g fresh weight) in 30% intensity for 40 seconds. The improvement of seed quality and biochemical parameters,
ultimately resulted in better field parameters i.e. field emergence (81.33%), plant dry weight 30 days after sowing (20.32 g)
and chlorophyll content (30.96 units) in the treatment 30% intensity for 30 seconds. While maximum plant height (71.5 cm)
and number of leaves (5.0) in the treatment 40% intensity for 30 seconds. Decline was observed in all the parameters as the
intensity and duration was increased beyond 40% intensity for 30 seconds. Hence, 30% intensity for 40 seconds was found
to be the most effective treatment along with 40% intensity for 30 seconds.