Influence of seed moisture content on seed quality of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean L. Verdc)

Abstract

Two varieties of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean L. Verdc) were evaluated for seed quality under different seed moisture contents between 8, 10 and 12%, and the seeds were stored under ambient condition for six months. Songkhla 1 maintained high germination percentage (91.11%) and high germination index (24.43) after storage for six months, whereas TVsu 1221 showed low germination percentage (54.67%) and germination index (14.83) in two months after storage. Differences among seed moisture contents were low and seed moisture content of 12% was better than seed moisture content of 8% for germination percentage and germination index. Variations between bambara groundnut varieties and seed moisture contents were low for shoot length and seedling dry weight. These parameters seemed to be not suitable for evaluation of seed quality of bambara groundnut.