TRADIONAL AND IMPROVED PRACTICES OF SEED STORAGE

Indigenous Practices are local knowledge developed over centuries of experimentation and are passed orally from generations to generation. It was found to be an important catalyst to sustainable development due to their direct connection to resource management and conservation.it is rrot of every modern technology which we are using for better production , yield and quality . It is also practiced in seed storage and most common method in developing countries like Nepal .

Seed storage is preservation of seed and maintenance of its quality until it is needed for planting. The main objectives for storage of seed are security of scarce source seed and to assist timely distribution of seed Storage of seeds/grains in a proper way is necessary to prevent them from spoilage, increase their keeping quality, and for monetary reasons. Mostly cool, dry and dark place are referred for storage of seed such as mud pot, gunny bags, bucket etc. some traditional practices for seed storage are explained below:

Bhakari (mat bin): it is container like structure made up of bumboo sticks. This is most common method practiced in rural areas. Mostly cereals , grains are preferred in mat bin.

Kothi (mud bin) :this is bin made of mud and bumboo . It is used for the storage of large amount of seed grains . This method is also popular in seed storage of cereal like paddy , wheat , maize , sorghum etc .

Other traditional seed storage practices are heap and kunio storage of maize, Ghyampo,Gagro, urmi or suli method (Maize), plastic and jute bags. The local materials used in seed storage are: neem, bojo, timur, marich, titepati leaves/powders for controlling stored grain pests, sun drying of seeds and cleaning through winnowing, rinsing containers with oils/kerosene, covering mouth of seed containers with ash.

Though idigineous practice are common in rural areas it is not perfect for large scale seed storage.The improved seed storage practices include improved metal bins, split bamboo bins , pusa bin (an improvement in mud bins), sealed storage containers, super grain bags, non-conditioned ventilated godowns, potato seed storage under diffused light, cellar stores for storing fruits, zero energy storage of vegetables. Sun drying is practiced by farmers for drying seeds before storing. Farmers dry seeds for about 4-6 times depending on the moisture content. Some farmers use storage containers cleaned with oil or kerosene, while others treat the seeds with indigenous plant materials like ash, neem, titepati, marich, bojo powders to protect seeds from storage pests.

For a proper supply of quality seed, the protection against insect attacks is essential. Insect and pest attack in seed and crop is increasing day by day because high use of fertilizer and lack of proper storage practices.

Therefore, storage of grains and seeds without pest infestation is essential. Indigenous practices have advantages like materials required are easily available and costs low but are not practicable for large production.

Conclusion :

From above points it is clear that idigineous practices are good for small scale seed storage while improved storage practices are preferred in large scale practices.storage method is still not good so to increase its efficiency is primary need in seed storage or agricultural sector.

Writer: Amit Kumar jha (Student, Fourth semester, Paklihawa Campus)