Comparative study of suitable drying methods for storing pigeon pea(cajanuscajan) and mung bean (vignaradiata (l.) r.wilczek)under humid tropical conditions

Abstract

The study evaluated several suitable drying techniques of pigeon pea and mung beans seeds under humid tropical conditions. Freshly harvested seeds of pigeon pea NSWCC-7D and mung bean TVr- used for research were subjected to the following drying techniques- Sun drying, Shade drying  and Partial Shade drying  and stored under ambient condition for 300days. Seed samples were taken from each packaged seed lot for evaluation at 60-days interval and were evaluated for- Standard germination (SG), Rate of moisture absorption (MA), Dry matter production (DMP) and Seedling Vigor Index(SVI). Data analyses showed that seed quality parameters measured diminished with increase in storage time with seed dried under shade showing distinct highest (DMP), (SVI) (SG ) and lowest (MA). Shade drying method registered the maximum dry matter (34.20 mg) compared to sun (28.60 mg) in pigeon pea and (32.30 mg) compared to sun (27.40 mg) in mung bean.  Seeds dried under the shade had the overall best performance in all the physiological attributes evaluated while seeds dried under sun, had the least performance.  Therefore, for maintenance of physiological qualities of mung bean and pigeon pea seeds under tropical humid condition, seeds should be dried under shade before packaging into storage house.