Influence of sodium-dikegulac on storage potential of selected seed species

Accelerated ageing treatment (95% relative humidity, RH) for 112 days of seeds of some low-vigour species of gram, soybean, sunflower and safflower increased leaching of soluble carbohydrates and amino acids from all seed lots pretreated with 1000, 2000 and 4000 μg/ml sodium-dikegulac (Na-DK) or distilled water. However, some diminution of leaching was noted in the chemically pre-treated seed lots compared to the controls after 112 days of seed ageing. The ageing-induced reduction in the percentage of TTC-stained seeds and in total dehydrogenase activity was substantially ameliorated by Na-DK.