Goel A. author Sheoran I.S. author text journal article 2003 The present study was carried out to contribute to our knowledge of the mechanism of seed deterioration in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars (HS6 and H1098) during natural ageing. The seeds were sealed in polythene bags and stored at 25 ± 1 °C for 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months. In both the cultivars, germinability decreased whereas membrane deterioration assayed as electrical conductivity of the seed leachates increased with storage period. The decrease in germinability was well correlated with increased accumulation of H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde content. The activities of peroxidase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase decreased with ageing. Seeds of cv. H1098 were more susceptible to ageing than HS6. ascorbate peroxidase; catalase; germination; glutathione reductase; Gossypium hirsutum; H2O2; malondialdehyde; superoxide dismutase 10.1023/A:1024398724076 https://bp.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/bpl-200303-0041.php https://bp.ueb.cas.cz/artkey/bpl-200303-0041.php continuing 46 3 429 434 2003 periodical academic journal