J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2014: Vol.

28 (2): 145-150 ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

INFLUENCE OF ORGANIC MANURES, FERTILITY LEVELS AND METHOD OF

STORAGE ON STORABILITY OF SOYBEAN (GLYCINE MAX (L.) MERR.)
Rachna Rana and Dinesh Badiyala
Department of Agronomy, Forages and Grassland Management, CSK HPKV, Palampur
Himachal Pradesh, 176 062, India
email:rachanarana.plp@gmail.com

Received: 05-08-2014 Accepted: 09-09-2014

Soybean seeds harvested from a field trial consisting 4 levels of organic manures (control, FYM @ 5 t ha-1, vermicompost @ 2.5 t
ha-1 and FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1) and 3 fertility levels (control, 50 % recommended dose of fertilizer and 100
% recommended dose of fertilizer) were equally divided into four parts and subjected to four storage conditions viz. HDPE bags,
Super bags, Jute bags and Seed bins. Seeds were tested for their quality parameters at two-months interval from harvest till next
crop season. The experimental results revealed that FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1, 100 % recommended dose
of fertilizers and storage of seeds in super bags recorded significantly highest germination percentage, seedling dry weight, field
emergence, seedling vigour and lowest moisture percentage and electrical conductivity in seeds. Therefore, super bags were
found to be better for storage of soybean seeds as compared to HDPE bags, seed bins and jute bags.

Non-availability of quality seed is one of the most important
factors for low yield of soybean crop1. If storage and seed
conditions are not proper then soybean seeds lose viability
within 3-4 months. Storability of soybean seed is controlled
by genetic factors apart from environmental conditions provided
during pre-storage and storage periods. In storage, viability
and vigour of the seeds is regulated by many physico-chemical
factors like moisture content of the seed, atmospheric relative
humidity, temperature, initial seed quality, physical and
chemical composition of seed, gaseous exchange, storage
structure, storage insect pests and packaging materials2. Good
storage conditions can maintain higher germination percentage
of seed for longer period. Different types of storage containers
may help in improving germination per cent and viability of
seed. Polylined and Polyethylene laminated jute bags were
found superior than cloth and jute bags3.
It is important to find out the effect of organic manures alone
or in combination with chemical fertilizers for exploiting the full
potential of soybean. The organic manures in combination with
chemical fertilizers are known to improve the physico- chemical
and biological properties of soil which ultimately improve the
seed yield and quality of seed. Under ordinary storage
conditions, the viability of seed decreases with the passage of
time. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the effect of storage
conditions on germination and viability of seed which decreases
with the passage of time. Therefore, an experiment was
conducted to study the effect of organic manure levels, fertility
levels and method of storage on quality and storage life of
soybean.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The field experiment was carried out during the rainy season
(kharif) of 2010 at the Experimental Farm of Department of
Seed Science and Technology, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar
Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur situated
at 32°6 N latitude and 76°3 E longitude with an elevation of
1290.8 m above mean sea level. The experiment was laid out
in factorial randomized block design with three replications.
The treatment consisted of 4 levels of organic manures (control,
FYM @ 5 t ha-1, vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 and FYM @ 2.5
t ha-1 + vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1) and 3 levels of fertility
(control, 50 % recommended dose of fertilizer and 100 %
recommended dose of fertilizer). Soybean variety Himso 1588
was sown on 15th June 2010 at an inter row spacing of 45 cm.
The seeds obtained from the produce of net plots of each
treatment after harvest of the field trial on 28th October were
used for the storage studies which was carried out under
laboratory conditions in completely randomized block design
to study the impact of different storage methods on seed quality
of soybean. The seed samples taken from each treatment
 Influence of Organic Manures, Fertility Levels and Method
were equally divided into four parts. Then these seeds were
subjected to the following four methods of storage viz. HDPE
bags, Super bags, Jute bags and Seed bins. Moisture content
of seed was measured in digital moisture meter by directly
feeding sample in it at every observation. The seeds stored in
four different type of containers, were tested for their germination
at two months interval till the next crop season under laboratory
conditions. 150 seeds (three replications of 50) from each
treatment were placed in moist germination paper at 30ºC in
incubator. Per cent normal seedlings were recorded after four
days and final count was recorded at 8th day of seeding.
Germination test was conducted as per ISTA rules4. For field
emergence (%), 50 seeds per treatment, in three replications
were sown in field. Emerged seedlings were counted 21 days
after seeding and expressed in percentage. Electrical
conductivity from the seed leachate was measured in 5g seeds
soaked in 50 ml of distilled water incubated at 25ºC for 17-18
hrs. The reading was taken in conductivity meter. The electrical
conductivity of the seed leachate was measured in dS/m5.
Seedlings were tied per treatment and dried at 70ºC for 17
hours in hot air oven and weighed for seedling dry weight.
Seed vigour index (V.I.) was computed as:
Seedling vigour Index = Germination (%) x Seedling length
(cm)
The vigour index values were computed as per the procedure
and expressed in number6.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Effect of organic manures, fertility levels and method of
storage on Moisture percentage: Initially, though the
moisture percentage was not influenced significantly by organic
manure treatments. But at 60 days after storage, vermicompost
@ 2.5 t ha-1 recorded significantly lowest moisture content in
seed followed by FYM @ 5 t ha-1. At 120 days after storage of
soybean seed, FYM @ 5 t ha-1 recorded significantly highest
moisture percentage. Whereas at 180 days after storage,
organic manures did not influence moisture percentage of
soybean seed significantly.
In initial, 4 and 6 months observations, fertility levels did not
influence moisture percentage significantly in soybean seed
whereas at 60 days, 50 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer
recorded significantly lowest moisture percentage. The control
plots recorded significantly higher moisture percentage followed
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by 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer and was found
statistically at par with each other.
At 2 and 4 months observation, super bags remaining at par
with HDPE bags recorded significantly lowest moisture
percentage followed by seed bins. Significantly highest
moisture percentage was recorded by jute bags in all the
months of observation. Super bags recorded significantly lowest
moisture percentage followed by HDPE bags and seed bins
when the observation was recorded in June month. Due to
presence of pores in gunny bags which helps in free passage
of moisture and air containing moisture in seed. However, there
might be little fluctuations in moisture content in super bags,
HDPE bags and also in seed bins due to moisture proof
properties.
Germination percentage (%): Initially, before storage of
soybean seed, organic manures did not influence germination
percentage significantly. But after two months of storage in
February month it was found that FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 +
vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1 recorded significantly highest
germination percentage followed by vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-
1 and FYM @ 5 t ha-1 alone. After 4 (April) and 6 (June)
months of storage, again it was found that with advancement
in storage time germination percentage was decreased.
The data in Table 1 revealed that germination percentage of
soybean seed was not influenced significantly at initial stage
due to different fertility treatments. However, in February month's
reading germination percentage decreased as compared to
initial values and significantly highest germination percentage
was recorded with 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer
followed by 50 per cent NPK applied to soybean and lowest
was noticed in control plot treatment. Further in April and June
months, germination percentage again decreased following
the same trend. It is generally seen that reduction in
germinability depends on duration of ageing. Germination
decreases with increase in ageing period in maize due to natural
aging7&8. This indicates that natural ageing is inevitable in all
the species as well as seeds.
The effect of storage containers was found to be significant in
February, April and June months of storage. Seeds stored in
super bags resulted in significantly highest germination
percentage followed by HDPE bags. HDPE bags remaining at
par with seed bins also recorded significantly higher germination
percentage over jute bags. Significantly lowest germination
percentage was recorded in seed stored in jute bags during
(147) Rana and Badiyala
February, April and June months readings. The germination
percentage of seeds stored in different type of containers was
observed to be decreased with the passage of time. Similar
findings were found9. Highest germination was recorded in
super bags followed by HDPE bags which may be due to the
fact that super bags and HDPE bags do not allow free
exchange of air from its surroundings and hence maintain
higher germination percentage. On the other hand, jute bags
permit a frequent exchange of air from its surroundings. This
resulted in different metabolic changes in the seeds and
ultimately germination was affected. In general, the
germinability of the seed declined with ageing irrespective of
the treatment after 6 months of storage which could be
attributed to the depletion of food reserves, decline in synthetic
activity that occurred within the seed10. Germination percentage
was maintained higher when soybean seed was stored in
super and HDPE bags than seed bins and jute bags where,
loss of germination was at slow rate, could be due to reduced
rate of metabolic activities and inactivation of enzyme required
for retention of germination for longer period where as with
course of time decline in germination could be due to depletion
of food reserve, increase in fat acidity, ultra structural changes
and reduced activity of enzymes and weakening of membrane
integrity.
Field emergence (%): Organic manures significantly
influenced field emergence of soybean. Significantly, highest
field emergence was recorded with FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 +
vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 over vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-
1 and FYM @ 5 t ha-1 prior to storage, at 2, 4 and 6 months
of observation during storage.
Observation recorded prior to storage, at 2, 4 and 6 months of
storage, 100 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer recorded
significantly highest field emergence over 50 per cent
recommended dose of fertilizer and lowest in control.
The data presented in Table-1 showed that seed obtained
from the storage containers significantly influenced field
emergence of soybean throughout the period of storage. During
2, 4 and 6 months of storage, seed from super bags recorded
significantly highest field emergence followed by HDPE bags
and seed bins. Significantly lowest field emergence was
observed in jute bags. In second months observation, seed
bins and jute bags were found statistically at par with each
other. Due to low temperature in February and April and
unfavourable climatic conditions, field emergence was recorded
less. The low field emergence in jute bag may also be due to
microbial attack as a result of pores and increased moisture
content. In case of high vigour seeds, significant enhancement
in field germination was seen.
Electrical conductivity (dS m-1): During initial observation,
lowest values of electrical conductivity were observed in
soybean seeds. FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + vermicompost @ 1.25 t
ha-1 recorded significantly lowest electrical conductivity as
compared to the application of vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1
and FYM @ 5 t ha-1 alone which differed significantly with
each other. The control treatment recorded significantly highest
electrical conductivity in the soybean seed. Observations
recorded at 2, 4 and 6 months of storage showed similar trend
in respect of electrical conductivity in all the treatments.
The control recorded significantly higher electrical conductivity
over 50 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer and 100 per
cent recommended dose of fertilizer. Further examination of
the data Table-2 showed that the electrical conductivity
increased with increase in storage period from initial observation
to last observation taken after 6 months of storage.
Storage containers significantly influenced electrical
conductivity of soybean seeds. Super bags recorded
significantly lowest electrical conductivity of seeds followed
by HDPE bags whereas Jute bags recorded significantly
highest electrical conductivity followed by seed bins. This trend
was recorded during February, April and June months of
storage. Increased electrical conductivity was observed up to
June month from initial month of storage. This may be due to
the fact that increase in electrical conductance is roughly
proportional to the percentage of dead tissues in the seed.
The increase in conductivity is due to leaching of metabolites
from dead seeds. In gunny bags due to open pores dead seeds
increased with storage time and resulted in higher electrical
conductivity. The percentage of dead seeds remained less in
super bags followed by HDPE bags and seed bins, due to
non-exchange of air and gases from outer atmosphere.
Fundamental principle of the electrical conductivity test is that
deteriorated seed loose more amino acid, electrolytes and
soluble sugars due to the loss of membrane integrity. The
most widely used index of membrane integrity is the rate and
amount of electrolyte leakage as reflected in electrical
conductivity of water in which the seeds are soaked under
 Influence of Organic Manures, Fertility Levels and Method (148)

Table-1. Effect of organic manures, fertility levels and method of storage on moisture percentage,
germination percentage and field emergence of soybean
(149) Rana and Badiyala

Table-2. Effect of organic manures, fertility levels and method of storage on Electrical conductivity (dS m-1),
Seedling dry weight (mg) and Seedling vigour index of soybean

controlled conditions. The inverse relationship between treatments.

electrical conductivity and germinability and vigour in the seed
of several crop species including grain legume is well
established 11. The factor that influence the electrical
conductivity reading of seed leachates include soaking
temperature, soaking duration, initial seed moisture content,
seed size and seed weight12&13.
Seedling dry weight (mg): Initially, at 2, 4 and 6 months of
storage, FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 + vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1
recorded significantly highest seedling dry weight than all other
Seedling dry weight increased significantly with increase in
level of fertilizer up to highest (100 % recommended dose of
fertilizer) level at all the months of observations. But decreasing
trend in seedling dry weight from initial values to last observation
i.e. 6 months of storage was recorded.
During storage, super bags recorded significantly highest
seedling dry weight(193.56 mg) of soybean followed by HDPE
bags and seed bins in initial month of storage (February). Further
study revealed that the storage of seed in seed bins and jute
 Influence of Organic Manures, Fertility Levels and Method
bags remained statistically at par with each other in this respect
at all the months of observations. Similar trend with respect to
seedling dry weight due to storage in super bags and HDPE
bags was noticed which maintained its superiority over the
seed bins and gunny bags throughout the study period.
Seedling dry weight depends upon root and shoot length of
soybean seed. It can be correlated with seed vigour index.
Vigorous seeds resulted in longer root and shoot length and
hence more dry weight in super bags and HDPE bags was
observed.
Seedling vigour index: Initially, in February, April and June,
months of storage application of FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 +
vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1 recorded significantly highest
seedling vigour followed by vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1 and
FYM @ 5 t ha-1 alone. Seedling vigour index was found to be
decreased with passage of storage duration from 5774
recorded in M3 to 3429 in control plots.
Recommended dose of fertilizer (100 % NPK) recorded
significantly highest seedling vigour index at all the stages of
observation from initial reading to June month of storage
followed by 50 per cent recommended dose of fertilizer and
control recorded significantly lowest seedling vigour index. A
constant decrease was observed from initial value (5843 in
F2) to June month of storage (3274 in control).
Storage containers significantly influenced seedling vigour of
soybean. In February, after two months of storage super bags
recorded significantly highest seedling vigour index (5009)
followed by seed bins (4912), jute bags (4615) and HDPE
bags (4247). In April and June, it was recorded that super
bags resulted in significantly highest seedling vigour index
followed by seed bins and HDPE bags. The per cent decrease
in seedling vigour index of soybean seed during sixth month
of storage was 34%, 29%, 16% and 7.5% in Jute bags, seed
bins, HDPE bags and super bags, respectively. The lowest
seedling vigour was recorded in jute bags. After physiological
maturity, seeds begin to deteriorate at varying rate depending
upon the conditions of storage environment14, which includes
membrane degradation, accumulation of toxic metabolites,
decreased enzymatic activity, lipid auto-oxidation, failure of
(150)
repair mechanisms and genetic degradation. Consequences
of these factors led to reduced viability, germinability and vigour
in stored seeds.
It can be concluded that application of FYM @ 2.5 t ha-1 +
vermicompost @ 1.25 t ha-1, 100 % recommended dose of
fertilizers and storage of seeds in super bags recorded
significantly highest germination percentage, field emergence,
seedling dry weight, , seedling vigour and lowest moisture
percentage and electrical conductivity in seeds. Therefore,
super bags were found to be better for storage of soybean
seeds as compared to HDPE bags, seed bins and jute bags.
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