TITLE:
Loss of Certified Maize (Zea mays L.) and Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Seed Viability during Storage in a Sub-Saharan Region: Analysis of Environmental Factors
AUTHORS:
Willy Kaja Ngombo, Adrien Kalonji-Mbuyi, Roger Kizungu Mvumilia, Kabwe Nkongolo
KEYWORDS:
Seed Viability, Storage, Maize (Zea mays L.), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata): DR-Congo, Modeling Approach
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.12 No.9,
September
22,
2021
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to characterize
environment factors involved in loss of seed viability during storage in open
granaries. The temperature and relative humidity of the granary as well as the
equilibrium moisture content of seeds were determined monthly. Their effects on
the loss of viability of maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) seeds were examined. The results showed that relative humidity
levels > 65% associated with temperatures > 25°C (conditions in the open
granary) do not guarantee safe storage of maize lots for a period of 9 to 12
months. Based on these data and the results of seed viability analysis, local
environmental conditions in Gandajika (DR-Congo) and seed genetic background
are the main factors for the rapid deterioration of seeds during storage. The
germination rate correlated negatively with storage duration (-0.94) and temperature (-0.57)
while it correlates positively with the relative humidity (0.58) for both lots
of maize analyzed. The same trend was observed with the two-cowpea varieties
studied (IT82D-889 and Diamant). Similar work using more varieties in other
granaries is required to validate key factors involved in seed viability during
storage in targeted regions.