Effect of halogenation, moisture content and type of packaging on the storability of rice seed

Halogenation, seed moisture content (MC) reduction and suitable packaging are the practical methods that could have positive effect on retaining the seed viability during storage. This study was carried out by the factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design. Factors included type of the packaging at two levels (single layer and double layer packaging), seed halogenations at four levels (0, 3, 6, and 9 gram per kilogram seed), paddy moisture content (wet basis) at three levels (17-17.7%, 11-12% and 9-10%) and storage durations at three levels (without storage, six months and one year storage). The results showed that after one year storage, the lowest germination percentage with 47.92% was belonging to seed with MC of 17-17.7% and the germination of seeds with MC of 11-12% and 9-10% was above 97%. Vigor index of seed in double layer packaging after 6 and 12 months decreased by 13.82 and 21.63 percent, and in single layer packaging, it decreased by 17.97 and 39.81 percent, respectively. Treatment with MC of 9-10%, halogenated with 9 gram per kilogram seed had the highest germination percentage, pedicle length and seed vigor. In addition, Sitotroga cerealella was observed as an important paddy insect in non-halogenated seeds, packed in the single layer packaging after one year storage. Generally, MC reduction of rice seed to 9-10% along with halogenation and the use of double layer packaging were able to maintain seed quality better than the other treatments during storage.