Effect of Storage Periods on Seed Quality Characteristics of Three Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merrill) Varieties

Seed storage experiment was carried out to investigate the most appropriate period of storing and preserving soybean seed quality under ambient conditions. Germination percentage, seed vigour, moisture content, 1000 seed weight, protein and oil contents were assessed before storage (control), three months (90 days) and six months (180 days) after storage. The results indicated that soybean seeds of the control recorded a high germination percentage and vigour than those stored for three and six months. On an average, germinability reduced by 17 % and 38 % at 3 and 6 months of storage respectively than seeds of the control. Seed vigour also reduced by 23 % and 71 % at the 3 rd and 6 th months of storage than those of the control. Temperature and relative humidity readings were high and fluctuating under ambient storage conditions, and these conditions contributed to increase in moisture and 1000 seed weight. The percentage oil content of the seeds reduced in storage by 0.37 % and 0.44 % at three and six months of storage. However, protein content of the seeds increased at three and six months in storage by 0.23 % and 1.77 %. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using Statistix Student Version 9.0 and treatment means separated using Tukey's HSD (Honest Significant Difference) at probability level of 0.01.