~ 804 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2018; 7(2): 804-806 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2018; 7(2): 804-806 Received: 22-01-2018 Accepted: 23-02-2018 SP Monalisa Department of Seed Science and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India SK Swain Department of Seed Science and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Chiranjeevi C Kulkarni Department of Seed Science and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India M Behera Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Correspondence SP Monalisa Department of Seed Science and Technology, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India Seed development and maturation in sesame (CV. Prachi) as influenced by growing seasons SP Monalisa, SK Swain, Chiranjeevi C Kulkarni and M Behera Abstract An investigation has been planned to study the influence of growing season on the pattern of seed development and maturation in sesamum. Seed crops of sesame cv. Prachi were grown during summer- 2015, kharif -2015 and rabi 2015-16 at the Central Research station OUAT, Bhubaneswar, adopting recommended package of practices. Observation on various capsule and seed characteristics were recorded at weekly intervals from the 7 th day of anthesis (DAA) up to 42 days. Capsule length and dry weight of seeds showed a steady increase upto 35 days. Capsule width (0.733 cm) increased up to 28 days and thickness (0.894 cm) increased up to 21 days and then decreased slowly up to maturity. The physiological maturity of seeds reached between 35-42 days. Although, seed germinability attained on the 14 DAA, the maximum germination (93.833%) and vigour reached around physiological maturity stage. The dry seed weight, an important determinant of seed yield and quality was the highest (0.183g) in kharif followed by that in summer (0.153g) and the least (0.101g) in rabi season. Considering the seed quality parameters, kharif and summer season appears to be ideal time for quality seed production in sesame. Keywords: Sesame, seed development, seed quality, seasonal influence Introduction High quality seed is essential for better field establishment and productivity of crops. Pre- harvest environmental conditions and degree of seed maturity are important factors that determine the quality of seed and their longevity in storage [1, 2] . Therefore, it is essential to determine the ideal planting time and stage of harvest of seed crops for obtaining seeds of high longevity. Although, attainment of physiological maturity of seed is under genetic control, it is influenced by environmental factors [3, 4] . Seed maturation refers to the morphological, physiological and functional changes that occur from the time of fertilization until the mature seeds are ready for harvest [5] . Tracing the sequence of seed development and fixing the time for maturity have more practical utility in getting higher quantity of quality seeds. Sesame, being an important oil seed crop of the country, is grown in all the three growing season. Due to its nutritional and medicinal values, the crop is now gaining importance among the farmers, for which the demand of quality seed is increased. There is need to increase quality seed yield of the crops, to meet the growing demand of farmers. The present investigation has been planned to study the influence of growing season on the pattern of seed development and maturity in sesame and to find out the ideal planting time to successfully take up seed production programme of this crop. Materials and Methods The seed crops of sesame cv. Prachi were grown at the Central Research Station, Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, Orissa during summer-2015, kharif - 2015 and rabi- 2015-16, adopting recommended package of practices [6, 7] . Sufficient number of plants of uniform growth was marked. The mature flower buds that would open on the subsequent day were tagged coinciding with 50% flowering stage of the crop. The capsules that developed on the tagged flowers were collected at weekly intervals commencing from the 7 th DAA and a total of six samples were taken. At each sampling, sufficient numbers of capsules were collected to record observations, viz. length, width, thickness of capsules, fresh and dry weight of seed, germination percentage, seedling length and dry weight. Standard procedures were followed for determination of germination percentage of seeds [8] and length and dry weight of seedlings [9] .