Seed invigoration treatments for improved germinability and field performance of soybean [Glycine max (L.)Merill]

Pre-storage seed invigoration treatments in freshly harvested soybean seeds with powdered crude plant materials (red chilli powder@1g/kg of seed; neem leaf powder@2g/kg of seed), chemicals (common bleaching powder and iodinated calcium carbonate@2g/kg of seed; para-amino benzoic acid and ferulic acid@500mg/kg of seed) and pharmaceuticals (aspirin @50mg/kg of seed) significantly improved germinability, field performance and productivity over untreated control. Among the treatments, ferulic acid, aspirin and para-amino benzoic acid has shown better results in improving storability and field performance. The wet treatments showed adverse effect on germinability, probably due to soaking injury. Physiological and biochemical studies revealed that pre-storage dry treated seeds showed reduced leakage of electrolytes, sugars, amino acid and lower lipid peroxide formation than the untreated control. Among the treatment, ferulic acid followed by aspirin has shown reduced leakage of electrolytes, sugar, amino acid and lipid peroxide formation. On the basis of the results, pre-storage dry treatments with ferulic acid, aspirin and para-amino benzoic acid may be suggested for improved storability and field performance of stored soybean seed.