Abstract:
Seed is an important input in agricultural production and its quality is essential in
determining maximum potential crop yield. Conditions under which the seed is stored is
often a major cause of poor seed quality. The combined effect of high moisture content
and storage temperature are critical factors that affect storage potential and eventual
quality of seed at planting time. The aim of this study was to determine effects of
temperature and relative humidity on the viability of bean seeds stored under stockists
store conditions. Mwitemania- GLP 92 bean seeds were stored by stockists at different
locations varying in temperature and relative humidity. The same seeds were also stored
under controlled temperature of -20°C and relative humidity of 50% at the Seed Science
laboratory, Chepkoilel Campus. Mean temperature and relative humidity of the three
stockists stores in each town were recorded daily and their means calculated. The bean
seeds were packed in clear polythene bags and stored by stockists in Bungoma, Nyeri,
Nairobi and Mombasa. Viability and vigour tests were performed at zero days of storage
and after every 30 days for 12 months of storage. Data was subjected to Analysis of
Variance (ANOVA) and means separated by Least Significant Difference (LSD) at
P<0.05. Results showed that the seeds stored under controlled conditions at Chepkoilel
Campus maintained their quality for 12 months while the seeds stored by stockists in
Mombasa with recorded mean maximum temperature and relative humidity of 30.8°C
and 80.1 % respectively showed a rapid decrease in viability which went below the
accepted levels after one month of storage. In Nyeri, Bungoma and Nairobi, seeds
remained viable above the accepted levels for 6 months. It was concluded that longevity
of seeds depends on the ambient temperature and relative humidity at the stockists stores.
