Effect of storage duration and osmo-conditioning on microbiological status and germination of ‘MS-1’ muskmelon seeds

Improving germination by osmo-conditioning with two potassium salts individually and their combination (1:1) of ‘MS-1’ muskmelon seeds stored for four years duration under ambient conditions was attempted.
The combined salt treatment resulted in significantly enhanced germination over all treatments for seeds stored up to two years duration.
Likewise, the root morpho-traits; root length (5.21 cm plant^‑1), volume (0.02 cm³ plant^‑1), surface area (1.138 cm² plant^‑1) and number of laterals of the 10-day-old seedlings were maximum for the said combination of osmolytes.
The storage duration affected the seed surface bacterial and fungal populations which might possibly had been acquired during postharvest storage and handling.
Significantly higher cfu mL^‑1 microbial counts (both bacteria and fungi) were recorded for 2013 harvested seeds on nutrient agar, RB agar and potato dextrose agar media compared to 2014 to 2016 stored seeds.
However, the viable cell counts decreased for 2014 and 2015 stored seeds.
These results indicated that the surface microflora which increased as a function of storage time, was responsible for deterioration of the seed health.
Moreover, osmo-conditioning may exhibit a positive interaction with the seed surface microflora by altering the water potential standards.
Therefore, osmo-conditioning can be useful to ensure rapid germination and uniform establishment in one- to two-year stored seeds of ‘MS-1’ muskmelon.

International Symposium on Horticulture: Priorities and Emerging Trends

S.P. Sharma, S. Devi, A. Kalia, S. Singh Dhaliwal

Cucumis melo, osmolytes, root traits, seed priming, surface microbes

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2019.1255.26