Vol. 11, Issue 7 (2022)

Author(s):
Pabitra Kumar Ghosh and Amitava Dutta

Abstract:
The physiological and biochemical changes in developing seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) were studied in predicting the particular date of harvesting for getting maximum quality of seeds. Seeds at different position of sunflower heads were harvested, cleaned properly and evaluated as per standard procedure in the laboratory of Department of Seed Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal. Seven priming treatments along with control were applied in sunflower variety- WBSH-2021. Observations on physiological parameters like germination percentage (%), seedling length (cm), seedling dry weight (mg seedling^-1), vigour index-I, vigour index-II and biochemical parameters like oil content percentage, soluble protein content (mgg^-1), peroxidase activity (ΔA min^-1 g^-1), alpha amylase activity (µg min^-1 g^-1) were measured. The pattern of seed development was studied in various stages starting from 10 days old seed to 40 days old seed at an interval of 5 days. Considering all the physiological characters, germination percent, seedling length, vigour index-I and vigour index-II showed a steady increase upto 30 days after anthesis (DAA) of 40 days old seed irrespective of treatments. Except for soluble protein content, other biochemical activities were gradually increased up to 30 days after anthesis (DAA) i.e 40 days old seed. From 25 days old seed to 35 days old seed, the vigour index-I and vigour index-II values drastically increased, indicating quick seed filling at this stage and optimal physiological maturity stage for seedling quality. Based on this T₆ (Vermi priming) followed by T₇ (Bio priming) appeared to be the best treatments for quality seed production in sunflower.