Seed quality of selected jute genotypes produced at different sowing times over locations

ABSTRACT: Laboratory experiment was conducted to determine physiological qualities of jute seed produced at different sowing dates and locations. The jute seeds were obtained from three genotypes (O-72, O-3820, Acc.4311) and sown at three dates (31 July, 15 August, 30 August) over four locations (Manikgonj, Cumilla, Dinajpur, Joshore) of Bangladesh. Seed quality of freshly harvested jute seed was assessed by germination test, mean germination time, vigour index and electrical conductivity test. Germination percentage of fresh jute seed was not profoundly influenced by the interaction effect of genotype and sowing date over the locations, where all the genotypes showed more than 94% seed germination. However, mean germination time was significantly influenced by the various genotypes and different sowing dates. The highest mean germination time (1.370 days) was found from the seed of genotype Acc.4311 sown on 30 August at Cumilla, while the lowest mean germination time (1.011 days) was recorded from the seed of genotype O-72 harvested from the crop sown on 15 August at Manikgonj. The highest vigour indices were observed in genotype Acc. 4311 from seed harvested from different locations. Significant variation was also observed in electrical conductivity of seed leachate, where the highest electrical conductivity of seed leachate (395 µS cm-1) was found from the seed of O-72 sown on 30 August at Cumilla. Contrary, the lowest electrical conductivity of seed leachate (295 µS cm-1) was recorded from the seed of Acc. 4311 sown on 15 August at Manikgonj. Among the genotypes, Acc. 4311 sown on 15 August in different locations showed better physiological seed qualities and may be considered as a promising line for variety development and quality seed production. 

Keywords: Genotype, sowing date, seed quality, late jute