Author(s):

Meenakshi G, Dr. K Raja, Dr. J Renugadevi and Dr. M Karthikeyan

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to enhance viability of sunflower seeds during ageing under ambient environment. In this study, sunflower seeds were treated with Zinc oxide (ZnO NPs), Titanium oxide (TiO₂NPs) and Copper oxide (CuONPs) at 1000 mg kg^-1,750 mg kg^-1 and 1250 mg kg^-1, packed in moisture impervious containers and stored under ambient conditions along with untreated seeds. Seed quality parameters such as physiology and biochemical attributes besides volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emanation were evaluated at monthly interval, and the results demonstrated that ZnONPs seed invigouration at 1000 mg kg^-1 excelled the other metaloxides in maintaining the seed storability in a period of six month of storage, which was 5 percent increase in germination over control (80% germination and seedling vigour of 2362). Similarly the emanation VOCs (aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, acids, esters and ethers were found to be less (14 compounds) in ZnONPs invigoured seeds than control where about 26 VOCs compounds were emanated. This study conclude that ZnONPs seed dressing could be a viable seed invigorant for extending the storability of sunflower under ambient conditions.

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