Responses of Bambara Groundnut Seed to Accelerated Aging

Abstract

Bambara groundnut seeds of Songkhla 1 and landrace variety were subjected to accelerated aging at temperatures of 40, 43, 46, 49, 52, and 55^oC for 48, 72, and 96 hours in order to determine the response of variety and seed quality to accelerated aging conditions. The non-aged and aged seeds were subjected to tests of their quality including moisture content, standard germination, speed of germination, and seedling growth rate. Results indicated that responses of bambara groundnut seeds to accelerated aging differed with varieties and seed quality characteristics. The Songkhla 1 seed was more sensitive to accelerated aging than landrace variety. High quality seeds of both varieties with germination of 86.50-88.00% had a reduction of viability and vigor after accelerated aging at 40^oC for 96 hours and at 43^oC for 48-72 hours with germination of 75.50-62.25%. These aging regimes provided seed vigor separation between varieties with germination differences of about 10% while a greater separation (around 20%) occurred after aging at 46^oC for 48 hours. Germination and speed of germination index showed a greater response to accelerated aging. Seedling growth rate in terms of shoot length, root length, and seedling dry weight could not be used to evaluate the deterioration of the acceleratingly aged seed.