Seed quality status of rice varieties based on physical properties, seed health and proximate composition

In the present study, seed quality status of fifteen rice varieties were evaluated for physical properties, health status and proximate composition. Physical properties like moisture content, seed purity, germination and vigor index varied between 11.77-14.67%, 96.08-98.93%, 96.50 to 99.00% and 1972.74 to 2639.76, respectively. The shoot length and root length of seedlings were from 8.93 cm to 12.99 cm and 10.89 cm to 14.22 cm, respectively. Seed health was determined by blotter test method. Five seed-borne fungi were detected and the identified fungi were Bipolaris oryzae (1.00-8.50%.), Fusarium moniliforme (0.50-3.50%), Fusarium oxysporum (0.50-9.00%.), Curvularia lunata (0.00-7.50%) and Alternaria padwickii (0.00-4.00%). Proximate composition analysis assessment was done using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) method. The dry matter, ash, crude fiber, crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate were between 92.52- 93.77%, 2.39-6.70%, 8.65-14.27%, 6.51-9.13%, 1.23-1.97% and 62.84-71.06%, respectively