Alleviation of peanut seed deterioration during storage using biotic and abiotic agents

Abstract

In order to reduce the peanut seed deterioration and improve seed quality during storage a laboratory experiments were conducted. Seeds were subjected to different storage periods (0, 2, 4 and 6 months) using biotic (Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract at 25, 50 and 100%) and abiotic (citric and salicylic acids at 10, 15 and 20 mM) agents. After 6 months storage period of the treated seeds the viability of peanut seeds was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. The seed health showed inhibitory effects of biotic and abiotic agents on presence of different fungal genera in all storage periods, Saccharomyces cerevisiae then salicylic acid were most effective. Increasing storage periods from zero to six months significantly decreased germination percentage, germination energy, germination index, seedling length, seedling vigor index, dry weight of 10-seedlings as well as dead and rotted seeds, rotted seedlings and survived healthy seedlings and seed oil, protein and carbohydrates percentages. Treating peanut seeds with 100% Saccharomyces cerevisiae improved germination criteria, seedling characters and seed chemical characters as well as survived seed health and minimized the died seeds%, rotted seeds% and rotted seedlings as compared with the control under all storage periods. Peanut seeds free from aflatoxin B 1 were detected in the moderate and high concentrations of both biotic and abiotic agents. The maximum growth parameter and physiological characters (chlorophylls a and b, carotenoids and total phenols) were recorded from seed treated with 100% Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract after six months storage under greenhouse conditions. It could be recommended to use 100% Saccharomyces cerevisiae extract or 15 mM salicylic acid as seed treatment to improve seed quality and reduce deterioration of peanut seeds under storage. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.