Seed Quality of Lablab Beans (Lablab purpureus L.) as Influenced by Drying Methods and Storage Temperature

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Abstract

What is the saturation level of the drying beads if were to be reused (for economic benefits to the farmers)? Lines 16-17

Introduction

Authors should clearly elaborate on the following;

• traditional method of drying seeds;
•  impact of the mentioned drying methods on the seed quality; and
• the magnitude of postharvest losses encountered as a result of poor handling (drying) of seeds
• What is commercial sun drying? Only mentioned in the conclusion section (line 395)
• Harmonize font size in Das  Fakir (line 43)

Results

Since the germination rates attained in this study (Drying beads = 70.56%; shade drying = 67.78%;  oven = 58.89% & sun-dried 43.89%) are still below the acceptable rate for commercial seed production companies..., can the methods still be recommendable to farmers considering it implication on high quality production? 

Author Response

Dear Sir/ Madam

Thank you very much for your comments on our manuscripts 

a) Abstract - What is the saturation level of the drying beads if were to be reused (for economic benefits to the farmers)? Lines 16-17

Revision: I have added a paragraph in the abstract that acknowledges the saturation level of the drying beads. The beads can be used indefinitely by reheating in oven between usage. By reheating, farmers can use this bead in a long term and benefited from it. (Line 20-21) 

b) Introduction 
Authors should clearly elaborate on the following;
 traditional method of drying seeds; impact of the mentioned drying methods on the seed quality; and the magnitude of postharvest losses encountered as a result of poor handling (drying) of seeds

Revision: To elaborate the above suggestions, I have clarified that the traditional method of drying referred to sun drying method. It is further explained that the application of sun drying exposed the seeds to uncontrollable natural environment condition in which may reduced seed quality particularly germination and vigour. As for the magnitude, I have added a figure of 5-10% seed losses based on the previous publications which brings to the objective of evaluating a more prominent and applicable method of drying lablab seed. (Line 40-45) 

 What is commercial sun drying? Only mentioned in the conclusion section (line 395) Revision: I have acknowledged the misused of the ‘commercial’ term, which found to be irrelevance. The term has been replaced with current practice; sun drying which is more synchronized with the whole manuscript and objective. (Line 409) 

 Harmonize font size in Das Fakir (line 43)
Revision: The font size for Das and Fakir has been harmonized accordingly. (Line 50) 

c) Results- Since the germination rates attained in this study (Drying beads = 70.56%; shade drying = 67.78%; oven = 58.89% & sun-dried 43.89%) are still below the acceptable rate for commercial seed production companies..., can the methods still be recommendable to farmers considering it implication on high quality production? 

Revision: Based on the results obtained, the methods are applicable to be use by farmers provided with right harvesting maturity. I have elaborated further details on the future research recommendations sections that have been recently added. The germination rate is believed to improved to be more than 80% by harvesting at later stage of 35-40 days after anthesis. (Line 293-295)

Best Regards

Corresponding author

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors

The manuscript Seed Quality of Hyacinth Beans (Lablab purpureus L.) As Influenced by Drying Methods and Storage Temperature is interesting and is of significant meaning.

 Some comments/suggestions:
i) Keywords should be better specified, figure prominently in the manuscript. They should reflect the main idea and content of the article with no need to replicate words from the title of the manuscript!

ii) There is a lack of clarity in describing the purpose of the study (why is it important to evaluate the use of common drying methods and suitable storage tem perature for Hyacinth bean seed?) the objectives, the research designed and the results/solutions presented! Also rigor in the argumentation and in methods explanation is missed.

iii) conclusion should be improved, reflecting more properly the results and presenting more perspectives on the issues, controversies, problems relate to theme and arguments supporting the manuscript position.

iv) Include a section with further research topics and limitations of the study.
On the basis of detailed comments sent to the authors, I propose a major revision of the article prior to its publication.

17 February 2022
Journal Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395)
Manuscript ID agronomy-1582065 

Author Response

Dear Sir / Madam

Thank you very much for your comments on our manuscript

(a) Keywords should be better specified, figure prominently in the manuscript. They should reflect the main idea and content of the article with no need to replicate words from the title of the manuscript.
Revision: The keyword has been better specified to Lablab; seed drying; moisture content; germination; storage temperature; antioxidant enzyme (Line 27-28) 

(b) There is a lack of clarity in describing the purpose of the study (why is it important to evaluate the use of common drying methods and suitable storage temperature for Hyacinth bean seed?) the objectives, the research designed and the results/solutions presented also rigor in the argumentation and in methods explanation is missed.
Revision: The explanations has been added in few lines. The importance of evaluating common drying methods has been added (Line 40-45). An addressed of bad impacts of storing seeds in ambient temperature which is the current method is the reason why it is important to evaluate the best storage temperature for lablab seed. (Line 86-90) 

(c) conclusion should be improved, reflecting more properly the results and presenting more perspectives on the issues, controversies, problems relate to theme and arguments supporting the manuscript position

Revision: The conclusion section has been added with detailed explanations on how the issues can be overcome by applying the right drying methods. I have added why the current practice of dying seeds (sun drying) is not applicable through supporting detail on the sensitivity of the seeds towards heat. Hence, drying beads is the best suggested method. (Line 411-451) 

(d) Include a section with further research topics and limitations of the study.
Revision: A section of future research recommendations has been added. In this section, the limitation of study has been well-addressed and a detailed-on recommendations has been added for future research. 

More revisions include:
(a) Reviewer 2 has suggested for moderate changes in English, A changes has been made accordingly throughout the whole manuscript.

(b) I would like to request changing Hyacinth bean to Lablab bean for the subject matter. This is the more applicable term used in the field of study.

Best Regards

Corresponding Author