ISSN 2375-1061
African Journal of Agricultural Marketing ISSN 2375-1061 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-007, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Effects of low cost drying methods on seed quality of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Monech
Ali Zakaria Babiker1, Mohammad Ehsan Dulloo2*, M. A. Mustafa El Balla3 and El Tahir Ibrahim1
1Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Agricultural Research Corporation, Sudan.
2Bioversity International, Rome, Italy.
3Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Khartoum, Sudan.
Accepted 19 May, 2020
Abstract
The effect of low cost drying methods on the seed quality of different genotypes of sorghum was investigated. Fresh seeds from five genotypes were subjected to three drying regimes, namely sun, shade and silica gel, and were compared to the standard recommended drying condition using a seed dryer (Munter seed dryer Model M120) as control. The effects of the drying regimes on seed moisture content, viability and quality were studied. All the drying methods were able to dry seeds to safe seed moisture contents levels (range of 5.6 - 7.5%) for conservation. None of the alternative drying methods examined proved to be better than drying in a seed dryer. Seeds dried with the seed dryer gave the highest germination percentage compared to those dried using silica gel, or under shade and sun. However, this study indicates that drying with silica gel and shade are good alternative methods. Sun drying is quicker, but is harmful to the seeds and affects long-term seed viability.
Key words: Genebank, low cost drying, sorghum, seed storage, Sudan.