EFFECT OF DRYING METHODS ON SEED VIABILITY AND SEEDLING VIGOR IN SPANISH GROUNDNUT (ARACHIS-HYPOGAEA L)

The effect of three drying methods viz. DOR (Directorate of Oilseeds Research) system, shade and windrow (sun drying) on seed viability, seedling vigour and on the leakage of solutes was studied in six varieties of Spanish groundnut. Differences in percentage germination under different drying methods were observed immediately after drying. Pods dried in windrows showed a faster rate of moisture loss during the drying period compared to seed dried by other methods. Groundnut pods dried in windrows reached temperatures up to 44-degrees-C while pods dried under shade and DOR system remained below 39-degrees-C, dried more uniformly and had a slower rate of moisture loss thus maintaining better seed viability. Pods dried in windrows lost viability rapidly while pods dried under DOR-method maintained viability for a longer period. Damage of the seed membrane was inferred to be greater in seeds dried in windrows because almost double the amount of solutes were leached out during imbition as compared to the seed dried by the other methods.