Leguminous Vegetable Cultivation and Seed Production S ...

SEED PRODUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF MUNGBEAN AND SOYBEAN 371
Table 5. Germination of quality seed tested after different durations in storage at ambient conditions
in Delhi, India (Agra al 1980).
Crop
Germination (%)
0 3 mo 6 mo 12 mo 18 mo 24 mo 36 mo 37 mo
Mungbean cultivar P. S.-16 . 99 99 99 99 98 98
Soybean cultivar Bragg 94 93 81 43 14 0 0 0
Table 6. Germination of soybean seed stored in different containers at amieient
room temperature and cold room for different durations in Sri Lanka
(Aruinandhy 1987).
Storage period
( mo.)
Storage condition
Gunny bag
Germination (%)
Polyethylene bag
0 Ambient 90 90
Cold 90 90
3 Ambient 80 81
Cold 88 80
6 Ambient- 2 70
Cold 79 81
Sundararaj 1954). Even after 1 1 yr of storage, hard-seeded mungbean had 70%
germination (Sonavene 1928). In soybean, a certain proportion of hard seeds in a
variety seems to improve seed longevity and germination (Potts et al 1978).
Because farmers in the tropics do not have sophisticated cold storage facilities,
practical storage methods need to be developed. Harrington (1963) suggested using
steel bins with steel lids, or steel drums with an aluminum foil layer and a gasket seal,
sealed tin cans, hermetically sealed glass jars, sealed aluminized polyester pouches,
or sealed high-density polyethylene bags. Metal drums with gasket seals are
common in Taiwan. Sealed polyethylene bags kept in a shaded area can safely store
seed for 6-9 mo (Table 6). Vaporproof packages for storage protect seed from drastic
fluctuations in RH. For a detailed review on this topic, see Delouche et al (1973),
Delouche (1975), and Nangju et al (1978).
Although storage facilities, low RH, and temperature are known to ward off
mungbean weevil, such facilities are unavailable in developing countries in the
tropics. Asian villagers traditionally have used peanut oil to protect pulse grains
against storage insects. Results at AVRDC suggest that peanut oil or soybean oil at
2-3 ml/ kg of seed can effectively suppress weevil reproduction in stored mungbean
for 3 mo (AVRDC 1976).
In India, treatment with neem oil, activated clay, and red earth is common.
Asian farmers also mix seeds with ash to prevent moisture buildup.
If the integrity of the seed is violated before or after harvest, then the seed is
vulnerable to damage by biotic factors. Almond moth Ephestia mute/1a can develop