Effect of storage duration and seed invigoration treatments on quality of Kenaf (Hibiscus Cannabinus L.) seed stored under ambient conditions

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effect of storage duration and seed invigoration treatments on seed viability, field emergence and seedling vigour of four kenaf varieties. In experiment I, 500 g seeds of each variety were stored inside thick (0.5mm) polyethylene bags and kept in Seed Store, under ambient conditions in two storage locations (University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.(28.8°C, 6 1.1OlYo RH) and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Ibadan (27.5°C, 61.68 % ) for 240 days (April to December, 2007). In experiment II. 500 g seeds of four kenaf varieties were treated with three crude plant extracts (powders of neem leaf, occim m leaf and red chilli fruit) and three chemical products (apron plus, bleaching powdel and aspirin tablet) with untreated as control treatments. Seeds of each variety inside 75CL capacity plastic bottles in three replicate and with respective recommended doses of treatments were stored under ambient conditions in Seed Store. Stored seeds were tested for the three quality traits at 30-day intervals. Data collected were. Objected to analysis of variance, significant differences between treatment mans were determined and probit analysis was carried out on the seed viability data. Considerable variation occurred in the three quality traits due to differences in storage locations and varieties. Ibadan storage location provided more favourable conditions for higher seed quality than Abeokuta location. Ifeken 400 and Tianung had the best storage potentials and a maximum of 180 days of storage life. The pro bit model result revealed that the highest seed storage life of 240 and 270 days was obtained for seeds of Ifeken 400 and Tianung respectively stored in Ibadan and Abeokuta. The shortest storage life of 180 days was estimated for Ifeken 100 stored in both locations. Seed invigoration treatments revealed significant differences among the varieties and efficacy of seed treatments for the three traits evaluated. All the treated seeds had higher seed quality performance over the untreated control. Seeds treated with osmium leaf and apron-plus powders gave better viability, seedling emergence and were effective in improving storability than other treatments. Profit model result indicated that highest storage life of 330 days was derived for seeds of Ifeken 400 and Tianung treated with ocimum leaf and apron - plus powders followed by Tfeken 100 treated with neem leaf powder and apron- plus powder with storage life of 300 days. Treated seeds with neem leaf and aspirin tablet powders showed better improvement in seedling vigour over other treatments. Pre-storage treatment of freshly harvested kenaf seed with ocimum leaf powder at 1Og/1OOgseed and apronplus at 5g/1kg seed are therefore recommended as the best pre-storage seed treatments for the maintenance of viability and vigour in kenaf. The treatments will benefit small scale producers who have low carryover stocks with little resources for advanced conditioned storage facilities. The result showed that storage of seed under ambient tropical conditions offer good potential for short term kenaf seed quality maintenance.