Abstract

The quality of seeds of chilli Co 1 and Co 2 from the different pickings evaluted initially and after 12 months of storage had indicated the superiority of seeds from second and third pickings in Chilli Co 1 and fifth, fourth and third pickings in chili Co 2 in respect to 100-seed weight. viability and vigour as compared to the seeds from other pickings. The differences in quality of seed from different pickings could be attributed to the differences in the canopy of the cultivars at different stages of growth and development of the plant, incident light and temperature and relative humidity of the micro-climate obtainable at the fruiting zone and the on set of senescence during the last phase of plant life. This situation had meaningfully revealed that the quality of the seeds from early pickings and late pickings was largely influenced by the interaction between the genotype and envi.omental conditions that prevail during their maturation.

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