Effect of Seed Treatments and Containers on Chilli and Brinjal Seed Viability

An experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of fungicides and packaging materials on longevity of chilli (variety: RCH-1) and brinjal (variety: Hisar Shyamal) seeds. The seeds were treated with 15 fungicides and were kept in three containers viz. Metal box, Cloth bag and Plastic zipling bag up to 12 months under ambient conditions in seed pathology laboratory of Department of Seed Science & Technology, CCSHAU, Hisar, India. The samples were drawn at quarterly intervals for ascertaining the seed quality parameters. The seeds treated with flusilazole and carbendazim (2 g kg-1 seed) in case of chilli and brinjal and stored in metal-box were found better for maintenance of higher seed quality parameters [electrical conductivity and dehydrogenase activity] during the study period. The study suggested that use of appropriate packaging material and seed treatment could be useful to prolong the storage life of chilli and brinjal seeds.