Seed Discoloration of Some Important Rice Varieties and their Effect on Seed Germination

Most of the rice diseases are transmitted by seeds which are the important limiting factor getting good quality seeds and good yield. Stored and freshly harvested rice seed of different varieties were collected from Agricultural farm of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The seeds were graded on the basis of intensity of discoloration. Stored seeds possessed higher seed discoloration (39.0-55.6 %) than freshly harvested seeds (32.0-44.8 %). Seed germination decreased with increase in discoloration intensity in both stored and fresh seeds. Germination was lowest in highest grade discoloration (greater than75 %) in stored seed (14-39 %) and also in freshly harvested (43-58 %). Germination was below seed certification standard (80 %) when intensity was greater than50 % in fresh seed and when greater than25 % in stored seed.