Effect of Seed Treatments and Containers on Chilli Seed Viability

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of fungicides and packaging materials on longevity of chilli seed (variety: RCH-1). The seeds were treated with 15 fungicides and were kept in three containers viz. Metal box, Cloth bag and Plastic zipling bag up to 12 months under ambient conditions in seed pathology laboratory of Department of Seed Science & Technology, CCSHAU, Hisar, India. The samples were drawn at quaterly intervals for ascertaining the seed quality parameters. The seeds treated with flusilazole (2 g kg-1 seed) and stored in metal-box were found better for maintenance of higher seed quality parameters [germination, root length, shoot length, mean seedling dry weight, vigour indices] during the study period. The study suggested that use of appropriate packaging material and seed treatment could be useful to prolong the storage life of chilli seeds.