Post-storage Seed Quality in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) as Impacted by Variable Fruit Age and in-situ Storage Durations
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Authors
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KARTIK PATHANIA
Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004, India
Author
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NAVJYOT KAUR
Office of Director (Seeds), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004, India
Author
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LAVANYA VIJ
Department of Botany, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004, India
Author
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SANJULA SHARMA
Department of Plant Genetics and Breeding, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004, India
Author
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RAJINDER SINGH
Office of Director (Seeds), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab-141004, India
Author
Keywords:
Germination, Seed longevity, Starch, Storage, VigourAbstract
The contribution of fruit pulp reserves to seed development and post-harvest seed quality in cucurbits
remains inadequately explored, despite the widespread practice of in-situ fruit storage prior to seed extraction.
The present investigation examined the combined influence of fruit harvest stage and in-situ storage duration of
harvested fruits on seed quality and longevity in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Fruits were harvested at three
developmental stages, namely 30, 40 and 50 days after anthesis (DAA), and subjected to four in-situ storage
durations (0, 5, 10, and 15 days). Seeds extracted from each treatment were stored for eight months, during
which germination percentage and seedling vigour index-I were assessed at two-month intervals. Biochemical
constituents, including total soluble sugars, starch, total soluble proteins, oil content, and total soluble amino
acids, were quantified immediately after seed extraction and after eight months of storage. Seed germination
percentage and vigour index-I increased progressively with advancement in fruit maturity from 30 to 50 DAA and
with longer in-situ storage duration from 0 to 15 days. Seeds extracted from fruits harvested at 30 and 40 DAA
exhibited an increase in germination up to four months of storage, whereas those harvested at 50 DAA showed
improvement up to six months, followed by a gradual decline. Storage reserves such as sugars, starch, proteins,
and oil content declined with prolonged seed storage, accompanied by an increase in total soluble amino acids.
Seeds harvested at 50 DAA and extracted after 10 days of in-situ fruit storage consistently exhibited superior seed
quality and storability after eight months of storage. The study highlights the critical role of fruit maturity and postharvest fruit handling in optimizing seed quality and provides practical recommendations for improving cucumber
seed longevity under typical storage conditions.
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