Effect of packaging and desiccants on storability of soybean seeds

A study was undertaken to test the quality of soybean seeds during storage. Different packaging materials (cloth bags, pearl pet jars and polythene bags) and desiccants (silica gel and zeolite beads) were used for the study. Various seed quality attributes were evaluated at bimonthly intervals. Higher germination (71%) and seedling vigour index (1229), lower seed moisture content (8.56%), seed infection (2.33%) with no seed infestation were recorded when seeds were stored in pearl pet jars with silica gel. Similar results were obtained for seeds stored for six months in pearl pet jars with silica gel. Higher seed moisture content was observed in seeds stored in cloth bags (11.53%) without desiccants compared with polythene bags with silica gel or zeolite beads (9.56 and 9.54%, respectively), at the end of storage. Soybean seeds can be stored with desiccant beads for six months without drastic reduction in seed quality.