Effects of Germplasm Accessions and Packaging Materials on The Quality Characteristics of Roselle Seeds

Abstract

Globally, the nutritional and economic importance of the Roselle plant cannot be underestimated. One of the major challenges that come with the conservation of the seeds is the rapid loss of seed quality due to the use of inappropriate packaging materials. This study was conducted to determine the effect of accessions and storage packaging materials on the quality characteristics of the Roselle seeds stored for 12 months. A 12 x 5 factorial arrangement in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications was used. The first factor was accessions at twelve levels (HS08, HS11, HS19, HS25, HS27, HS32, HS41, HS58, HS59, HS69, HS83, H86). The second factor was storage packaging materials at five levels (paper bag, ziplock bag, pot, plastic bottle and no packaging). The study revealed that storage packaging significantly affected the physiological and biochemical properties of the roselle seeds such that seeds which were packaged in bottles and ziplock bags performed better as compared to the other packaging materials (paper, pot) and the unpackaged seeds. Seeds stored in the bottle and ziplock led to high percentage germination and seed vigour. Seeds of accession HS08 packaged in either bottle and ziplock bag had the highest total phenolic content as well as the highest antioxidant capacity. Pathogenic fungi found on the seeds in the various packaging materials were least in the bottle and ziplock bag.  In conclusion, for a long-term conservation of roselle seeds it is imperative to use bottles and ziplock bags.