Germination behavior of wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties to artificial ageing under varying temperature and humidity

Seed viability of the conserved plant genetic resources is decreased even under the optimal storage conditions. Seeds of some plant species loose viability faster than others. Artificial seed aging was used with the objective to determine its effect on seed viability, while outlining the contribution of different factors like temperature and moisture towards seed deterioration in two wheat varieties viz., Wheat Var. Margala-99 and Wafaq-2001; seeds having two types of initial moisture contents (low and high), were experimental materials. Three temperature regimes (40, 50 and 60 degree C); four incubation duration (24, 48, 72 and 96 h), under two types of relative humidity (low or high) were the treatments compared with control at 25 degree C. Seed viability after artificial aging was determined by germination at 25 degree C (plus minus 2) under light conditions.