Validation of Bt-gene and Study of Packaging Materials on Seed Longevity in Bt-cotton Hybrids

A laboratory experiment was carried out to validate Bt gene and to study the storage potential of Bt-cotton hybrids. Results revealed that, all the six Bt-cotton hybrid seed lots selected for the study were positive for Bt-gene (Cry 1 Ac). In the storage study, the seed lot L₁ recorded highest germination (71.55%) and lowest in L₃ (68.11%) at the end of ten months of storage. Among the packaging materials, seeds stored in P₁ and P₂ recorded highest germination (71.50 and 71.50%, respectively) compared to P₃ (68.11 %). Seedling vigour index was highest (2007) in L₁ and lowest (1792) in L₆. Irrespective of seed lots, P₁ recorded highest vigour (1981) followed by P2 (1963) and lowest in P₃ (1759) at the end of ten months of storage. Germination per cent in polythene bag and polylined cloth was above the minimum seed certification standards (70.00%) upto ten months of storage. However, genotypic differences were observed with respect to seed quality.