Reassessing the Validity Period of Certified Seeds in Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)
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Authors
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PRASHANT KUMAR RAI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211008, India
Author
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SHIVAM KUMAR RAI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211008, India
Author
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M LINGA SWAMI SAI REDDY
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211008, India
Author
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GIRASE INDRAJITSINGH PRAVINSINGH
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211008, India
Author
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VAIDURYA PRATAP SAHI
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh-211008, India
Author
Keywords:
Proso millet, seed certification standards, cloth and HDPE bags, storageAbstract
Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) is gaining renewed importance as a climate-resilient and
nutritionally rich cereal capable of supporting food and nutritional security under marginal and rainfed conditions.
With increasing emphasis on millet-based cropping systems, ensuring the availability of high-quality seed throughout
the planting season has become critical, necessitating a re-examination of existing seed certification validity
norms. The present study evaluated the storability and revalidation requirements of certified Proso millet seed
varieties GPUP-25 and GPUP-28 stored under ambient conditions in cloth and high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
bags for nine months. The investigation was conducted during 2024–2025 at the Notified State Seed Testing
Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, SHUATS, Prayagraj. Progressive declines in germination
percentage, seedling dry weight and vigour indices were observed with increasing storage duration, irrespective
of packaging material. However, seeds stored in HDPE bags consistently maintained superior physiological quality
compared to those stored in cloth bags. By the ninth month of storage, germination in cloth bags declined below
the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards (IMSCS) minimum of 75% (72.63%), whereas HDPE-stored
seeds retained acceptable germination (83.05%). Higher moisture content and electrical conductivity values in
cloth bags indicated accelerated seed deterioration. The findings demonstrate that packaging material significantly
influences seed longevity and suggest that uniform certification validity periods may not adequately reflect cropand storage-specific seed behaviour. HDPE bags are recommended for medium- to long-term storage of Proso
millet seeds under ambient conditions, while seeds stored in cloth bags require revalidation beyond eight months.
The study provides empirical evidence to support the need for revisiting and refining seed certification and
revalidation standards for Proso millet based on storability performance.
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