Amaranth seed quality and its dependence on storage conditions

Abstract

Goal. To determine the effect of storage conditions on the sowing quality of amaranth seeds of domestic breeding varieties. Methods. Laboratory — for obtaining experimental data; mathematical and statistical — for carrying out dispersion analysis and statistical processing to assess the reliability of the obtained research results. Four amaranth varieties of Ukrainian selection were chosen for research: Ultra, Kharkivskyi-1, Studentskyi, and Lera, grown in the Dnipropetrovsk region in 2020-2022. The research was conducted in the laboratory conditions of the Odesa branch of the State Institution «Institute of Soil Protection of Ukraine». Results. It was established that during the six months of post-harvest ripening of amaranth seeds, laboratory germination significantly improved. At a temperature of 5°C and a relative air humidity of j = 55%, the highest rate of seed germination (96%) was in the Kharkivskyi-1 variety. With an increase in relative air humidity to j = 75% at a constant temperature of 5°C, the laboratory similarity of all varieties decreased to 85–90%. At an increased air temperature of 10°C and a relative air humidity of j = 55%, it decreased by 2–4%, which led to the appearance of single seeds with signs of mold in Kharkivskyi-1 and Studentskyi varieties. With an increase in relative air humidity to 75% and a temperature of 15°C, these indicators decreased by 7–12%. At a temperature of 25°C and relative air humidity j = 55%, seed germination decreased by 14–21%, at a temperature of 25°C and relative air humidity j = 75% — by 29–43% compared to storage at t = 5°C and j = 55%. Conclusions. Because of the high ability of amaranth seeds to germinate, it is best to store them at an ambient temperature of no higher than 15°C and air humidity of 55–75%. The highest rates of germination of amaranth seeds of all varieties were at an air temperature of 5°C and a relative humidity of j = 55%. With an increase in relative air humidity to j = 75%, the indicator of laboratory germination of amaranth seeds significantly deteriorates, and it becomes unsuitable for use in production and seed crops.