Abstract

Study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of accelerated ageing on seed deterioration and enzymatic changes associated with seed ageing in hybrids and their parental lines of pearl millet. The results revealed that the activities of dehydrogenase, peroxidase, catalase, polyphenol oxidase and α amylase enzymes differed significantly among the genotypes of Pennisetum glaucum seed. The enzyme activities except for polyphenol oxidase, declined significantly during accelerated ageing. Dehydrogenase activity decreased at faster rate to about 50 per cent of its initial level. Catalase activity declined gradually throughout the ageing period, while peroxidase activity slightly increased up to eight days of ageing and then decreased sharply. Aged seeds recorded delayed onset and reduced activity of α amylase enzyme. The polyphenol oxidase activity showed an inconsistent trend during seed senescence.

Keywords: Pearl millet, seed senescence, dehydrogenase, peroxidase, catalase, polyphenol oxidase, α amylase