SEED INVIGORATION BY HYDRATION-DEHYDRATION FOR IMPROVEMENT OF SEED QUALITY IN SAFFLOWER (CARTHAMUS-TINCTORIUS L)

Three midstorage hydration-dehydration treatments viz., soaking, moist ure equilibration and moist-sand conditioning followed by drying, each at varying durations for preservation of vigour and viability during storage in safflower var. K.1, were evaluated for their efficacy. Soak ing seeds for 3 h followed by dehydration proved to be the best. Maint enance of membrane integrity and counteraction of lipid peroxidation m ay be the possible reasons for such advantage as evidenced by lower el ectrical conductance and peroxide values in the best treatment.