ROLE OF PRE STORAGE SEED PRIMING IN CONTROLLING SEED DETERIORATION DURING STORAGE

Okra seeds harvested at the time of full maturity were primed with water, PEG-8000 (Polyethylene glycol 8000) and Mannitol solutions, while dry seeds were used as control. After treatment, seeds were dried to initial moisture content (11%) and then evaluated at zero storage, three months and six months storage for their unsaturated fatty acids, hexanal, proteins. Results showed reduction in unsaturated fatty acids and protein contents and increase in hexanal during storage for each treatment but it was significantly controlled by priming with PEG at -1.2 Mpa water potential for 18 hour duration followed by priming with Mannitol at the same water potential and duration as used for PEG priming compared to water treatment and dry seeds. This research work was carried to find out whether through pre storage seed priming okra seed deterioration during storage may be controlled or not.