This study evaluated the effect of seed size on seed quality parameters in two French bean varieties after artificial aging. Seeds were graded into sizes of bulk, 4.50mm, 4.75mm, and 5.00mm. Larger seeds of 5.00mm showed significantly better germination, seedling length, vigor index, and enzyme activity compared to smaller seeds after aging. The highest electrical conductivity was found in smaller seeds. Both varieties showed improved seed quality with increasing seed size, with Burpee stringless performing better overall. Larger seeds demonstrated superior storability and quality maintenance after aging.

1. Research Journal of Agricultural Sciences 2011, 2(2): 213-216
Prediction of Storability of Different Seed Size Grades of French bean
Varieties through Accelerated Ageing Response
K Vishwanath, Pallavi H M, Devraju P J and Prashanth Y
Department of Seed Science and Technology,
University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bangalore - 65, Karnataka, India
e-mail: vishwakoti@gmail.com
A B S T R A C T
Seeds of French bean varieties Arka komal and Burpee stringless were size graded viz Bulk, 4.50mm,
4.75mm and 5.00mm and these grades were aged artificially to evaluate for seed quality after ageing.
Seeds of bigger size (5.00mm) showed significantly better seed quality parameters in terms germination,
seedling length, seedling vigour index and enzyme activity (dehydrogenase and α- amylase) followed by
4.75mm and 4.50mm and were lowest in bulk seeds in both the varieties. Highest electrical conductivity
was noticed in small seeds than bigger seeds. However pH did not vary between size grades. Among
varieties Burpee stringless showed better seed quality than Arka komal and these results suggesting
superiority of bigger seeds.
Key words: French bean, Storability, Ageing response, Arka komal, Burpee stringless
Seed vigour is component of seed quality along
with viability, health, structural soundness and seed
size. Among these, seed size also is an important
component as it influences the performance, vigour and
storability of seeds. The influence of seed size on
seedling vigour, crop productivity and storability has
drawn attention of researchers since long time (Dhillon
and Kler 1976). It is opinion of several workers that
plump seeds can be stored for long period (Anonymous
1998, Gontia and Awasthi 1999, Dhillon and Kler 1976.
Khare and Satpute 1999) and contradictory results by
some researchers (Dhillon and Kler 1976, Khare and
Satpute 1999). Proper selection of seed size is essential
to achieve better seed quality and long period
storability. Information on storability of French bean
seed to preserve viability and vigour from harvest to
next planting season and carry over or transport purpose
is prime importance in any successful seed production
programme, therefore study was undertaken to evaluate
the seed size influence on seed quality after accelerated
ageing in French bean varieties.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seed of two French bean varieties Arka komal and
Burpee stringless were size graded by using different
screen sizes viz 4.50, 4.75 and 5.00mm and bulk seeds
were taken as control. 100 seeds from each grade in
eight replications were weighed and recorded mean test
weight for each size. Before accelerated ageing
germination of seed were recorded by using standard
germination test (ISTA 1996). Seeds from each size
grades were subjected to accelerated ageing in an
ageing chamber where temperature of 40°C and 100 per
cent relative humidity was maintained for three days
(72h) (Delouche 1965). At end of ageing period the
samples were removed and dried back to original
moisture content under shade and were set out for
germination test using between paper method with 400
seeds in four replications. The ageing response was
measured based on normal seedling as germination after
accelerated ageing (GAA) (ISTA 1996).
After germination count, 10 randomly selected
seedlings were measured for seedling length and same
seedlings were dried in hot air oven at 85±5°C for
period of 8h and seedling dry weight was recorded.
Seedling vigour index was computed as a product of
germination percentage and seedling length. (Abdul-
Baki and Anderson 1973).
50 grams of clean seed was soaked in 100 ml of
distilled water in three replication for 24h at ambient
condition. The supernatant was collected and electrical
conductivity (EC) of seed leachate was measured using
conductivity bridge, EC of distilled water was taken as
control and expressed in dsm-1
.
40 seeds were randomly selected from each grade
and pre conditioned the seeds by soaking seeds for
overnight. Seed coat was removed then sit it for
tetrozolium staining (0.05%), 10 seeds in each
replication. Farmazon was eluted in screw-capped vials
by using 20ml of methoxy ethonol and OD values were
red at 480nm wavelength using spectrophotometer.
The α-amylase activity was estimated semi
quantitatively by adapting Bed Rock Model. The pre
imbibed seeds were cut in to two halves, halve with
embryo intact was placed equidistantly on to a sterilized
petriplates containing 2% starch agar media in such a
213 www.rjas.info

2. way that embryo portion of seed should come in contact
with agar and incubated for 24h at 25±5°C. Then the
seeds were removed and iodine solution was poured on
to the starch medium. After 30 minutes, the observation
on clear halo zone diameter (cm) formed indicating α-
amylase activity was measured.
Data collected were statistically analyzed by the
analysis of variance techniques by adopting following
completely randomized design (CRD) (Panse and
Sukhatme 1967). Arcsine square root method was
applied for transformation of data, which was applied
on those tables in which the values were less than ten or
in percentage.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
100 seed weight increased gradually as seed size
increased from bulk seed (33.54g) to 5.00 mm (39.83g).
Among varieties Burpee Stringless showed higher test
weight (38.93g) than Arka Komal (33.78g). The
varieties used in this experiment showed good
germination before accelerated ageing i e 92.08 and
93.50 per cent in Arka komal and Burpee Stringless,
respectively. Among seed sizes, bulk seed showed
lowest germination (90.54%) and was in increasing
trend as increase in size from 4.50 mm (92.11%) to 5.00
mm (95.44%).
Table 3 Seed enzymes activity as influence by seed size after accelerated ageing in French bean varieties
Seed size (S) Total Dehydrogenase (OD value) Amylase (Halo-zone diameter (mm))
V1 V2 Mean V1 V2 Mean
Bulk seed 20.2 18.3 19.25 2.6 2.7 2.8
4.50mm 22.0 25.5 23.7 3.1 2.9 3.0
4.75mm 25.1 28.7 26.9 3.2 3.0 3.1
5.00mm 31.5 28.8 30.1 3.2 3.4 3.3
Mean 24.7 25.3 24.9 3.0 3.2 3.1
S. Em± CD (0.05P) S. Em± CD (0.05P)
Seed size (S) 0.68 2.00 0.082 0.24
Varieties (V) 0.50 1.41 0.060 0.17
S × V 1.00 2.83 0.12 0.35
Germination after accelerated ageing (GAA) was
gradually increased with increase in seed size from 4.50
mm (74.79%) to 5.00 mm (84.08%) and it was lowest in
bulk seeds (68.12%). Higher germination after
accelerated ageing in large seeds compared to small
seeds also noticed by several researchers (Duode 1984,
Malarkodi et al.1998). Higher GAA in large seeds
might be due to higher storage food reserves and higher
enzyme activity (Table 2). The influence of seed size
also evident by the more loss of germination after
accelerated ageing in bulk and small (4.50mm) seeds, in
other words least loss in 4.75 and 5.00mm seed,
respectively. The net loss of germination for bulk seed
was 24.7 per, 4.50 mm was18.8 per cent, while it was
16.2 and 11.9 per cent in 4.75 and 5.00mm size seeds.
The variety Burpee Stringless recorded higher GAA
(77.89%) then Arka komal irrespective of seed sizes.
Lower GAA in Arka komal is due to higher mycoflora
load (recorded) and its lower test weight resulted in
faster degradation of food reserves their by lower
amount of food reserves available for mobilization and
such varietal differences for germination after storage
was observed by earlier researchers. Increase in GAA in
Arka komal with increase in screen size from 4.5mm
(65.58%) to 5.00mm (83.41%) accounts for 6.92 and
17.83 per cent increased GAA, respectively over
ungraded seeds (65.58%). Seed retained on 4.75mm
screen size recorded 84.00 per cent germination which
was 11.08 per cent higher GAA over ungraded seeds. In
case of Burpee stringless 4.5 mm (77.68%), 4.75mm
(79.08%) and 5.00mm (84.75%) screen sizes vary
among each other for GAA which had 6.42, 8.42 and
14.09 per cent increased GAA over ungraded seeds
(70.66%). Better GAA in large seed might be due to
higher enzyme activity which is require for food
reserves mobilization and higher food reserves even few
of that degraded during ageing process and remaining
huge amount for plume and radical growth by higher
enzymatic biosynthesis. Several researchers have
observed higher GAA in bigger seeds than smaller
seeds (Malarkodi et al.1998).
Seedling length, seedling dry weight and vigour
index were increased with increse in seed size from
4.50 to 5.00mm and these parameters are least in
ungraded seeds. In case of Arka komal seedling length,
seedling dry weight and vigour index were increased
with increase in seed size from 4.50 to 5.00mm and
lowest in ungraded seeds. In Burpee Stringless all
aforesaid quality parameters vary distinctly among
seeds retained on 4.50, 4.75, 5.00mm and bulk seeds.
Reduced quality attributes after accelerated in Arka
Komal was mainly due to higher seed mycoflora lode
(recorded) and lower test weight and lower food
reserves, which are mobilized during germination (Bhor
et al.1988).
Electrical conductivity was highest in bulk seeds
(1056) followed by 4.50mm (965) and was reduced to
798 as increase in seed size to 5.00mm. However it was
not vary distinctly between varieties. pH of seed lechate
also did not vary much between seed size and varieties.
Enzymes activity viz dehydrogenase and α-amylase
increased with increase in seed size.
Vishwanath et al.
214 www.rjas.info

3. Table 1 Seed quality parameters as influence by seed size after accelerated ageing in French bean varieties
Seed size (S)
100 seed weight (g) Germination (%) GAA (%) Seedling length (cm)
V1 V2 Mean V1 V2 Mean V1 V2 Mean V1 V2 Mean
Bulk seed 29.55 37.52 33.54 89.75 91.33 90.54 65.58 70.66 68.12 16.08 18.19 17.13
4.50mm 32.00 38.34 35.17 91.66 92.56 92.11 72.50 77.08 74.79 17.03 18.93 17.98
4.75mm 34.56 39.24 36.90 92.83 93.25 93.04 76.66 79.08 77.89 17.82 19.90 18.86
5.00mm 39.01 40.65 39.83 96.80 94.08 95.44 83.41 84.75 84.04 19.03 20.96 19.99
Mean 33.78 38.93 36.36 92.08 93.50 92.73 74.54 77.89 76.21 17.49 19.49 18.49
S.Em± CD (0.05P) S.Em± CD (0.05P) S.Em± CD (0.05P) S.Em± CD (0.05P)
Seed size (S) 0.44 1.28 0.75 2.25 0.30 0.90 2.20 6.22
Varieties (V) 0.30 0.86 0.55 1.50 0.24 0.66 1.56 4.40
S × V 0.62 2.46 1.08 3.00 0.48 NS 3.12 NS
Table 2 Seed quality parameters as influenced by seed size after accelerated ageing in French bean varieties
Seed Size (S) Seedling dry weight (mg) Vigour index Electrical Conductivity (dsm-1
) pH
V1 V2 Mean V1 V2 Mean V1 V2 Mean V1 V2 Mean
Bulk seed 107.4 127.2 117.3 1071 1297 1184 1103 1010 1056 6.38 6.31 6.34
4.50mm 107.4 127.2 117.3 1071 1297 1184 1103 1010 1056 6.38 6.31 6.34
4.75mm 115.4 130.5 123.0 1261 1479 1370 969 961 965 6.50 6.57 6.53
5.00mm 126.4 139.8 133.1 1385 1562 1483 916 912 915 6.47 6.40 6.43
Mean 137.3 154.5 145.9 1598 1772 1685 812 798 805 6.27 6.20 6.23
S. Em± CD (0.05P) S. Em± CD (0.05P) S. Em± CD (0.05P) S. Em± CD (0.05P)
Seed Size (S) 2.20 6.22 66 190 2.20 6.22 12.6 36.0 0.44 1.24 12.6 36.0
Varieties (V) 1.56 4.40 46 130 1.56 4.40 9.0 52 0.30 0.86 9.0 52
S × V 3.12 NS 92 260 3.12 NS 18.0 42.1 0.62 2.46 18.0 42.1
215www.rjas.info
StorabilityofDifferentSeedSizeGradesofFrenchbeanVarieties

4. Higher dehydrogenase in large seeds (5.00mm) is
evident by higher OD values and decreased as seed size
decrease from bulk (19.2) to 5.00mm (30.1). Same
trend was also observed in α-amylase activity and
evident by its higher halo zone width (3.3cm) in
5.00mm and lower in bulk seeds (2.8cm). Among
varieties Arka komal had lower activity of
dehydrogenase and α- amylase than that of Burpee
stringless. Higher enzyme activity in big seeds is due to
resist of seed to ageing process, in other words small
seed proven to rapid deterioration process resulted in
death of cells and stopping of some hydrolytic enzymes
activity ( Kannababu and Karivartharaju 2001)
In conclusion, large seeds (>5.00 mm) performed
better in all respect of seed quality after accelerated
ageing showing its higher vigour and storability. It is
require selecting large seeds for carry over storage in
French bean.
LITERATURE CITED
Abdul-Baki A A and Anderson, V D. 1973. Vigour determination in soybean seed by multiple criteria. Crop Science
13: 630-633.
Anonymous. 1998. Recommended sieve sizes for grading of crops, constraints and prospects. Seed Technology
News 28(4): 76-77.
Bhor S B, Thete R Y, Patil R B and Bharud R W. 1988. Effect of seed size on growth, yield, and yield attributes and
seed quality on gram. Seed Research 16(2): 143-147.
Delouche J C. 1965. An accelerated ageing technique for predicting relative storability of Crimson Clover and
Falfescne seed lots. Agronomy Abstracts pp40.
Dhillon G S and Kler D S. 1976. Crop production in relation to seed size. Seed Research 4: 143-155.
Douode S D. 1984. Effect of seed size on longevity of seeds in French bean (P. vulgaris). Singapore Journal
Primary Industries 12(1): 62-69.
Gontia A S and Awasthi 1999. Effect of seed grading by size on various seed vigour attributes morphological
characters and seed yield in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) genotypes. Seed Research 27(1): 25-30.
Kannababu N and Karivaratharaju T V. 2001. Glutamate dehydrogenase activity in seedling organs of sunflower.
Seed Research 29(2): 167-170.
Khare D and Satpute R G. 1999. Influence of days to maturity and seed size on germination and seedling vigour in
pigeonpea. Seed Research 27(2): 170-173.
Malarkodi K, Srimathi P and Parameshwari K. 1998. Influence of size grading on seed quality of yam bean seeds.
Seed Technology News 28(4): 22.
Panse V S and Sukhatme P V. 1967. Statistical Methods for Agricultural workers. Indian Council of Agricultural
Research Publication, New Delhi.
Vishwanath et al.
216 www.rjas.info