Influence of Seed Treatment and Packaging Materials on Longevity of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)

Abstract

This study was carried out between January 15th to October 20th, 2019, at the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences  Umuagwo, Nigeria. It was aimed at evaluating the effect of packaging materials and storage period on the vigor parameters of some  selected pigeon pea genotypes. NSWCC-19, NSWCC-7D and NSWCC-50 were treated with four leaf extracts namely neem (Azadiracthta  indica), bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), pawpaw (Carica papaya) and scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) all at l0g/l00g. The seeds were  kept in four different packaging materials: plastic cans, polythene bags, paper envelopes and glass bottles and stored for ten months at  ambient conditions. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA; treatment means were separated using Duncan's Multiple Range Tests (P <  0.05). The study concluded that pigeon pea seed stored in glass bottle in combination with neem or pawpaw leaf powder is  recommended for an effective maintenance of its seed viability and vigour.