​Effect of Seed Treatments and Storage Period on Seed Health Parameters of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) under Ambient Storage Conditions

Background: Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important leguminous crop utilized as vegetable and pulse, being an important source of proteins. Pea seeds harbour various mycoflora both in field and during storage, which plays important role in reducing seed viability, germination and vigour inflicting considerable losses in yield and quality. There is scarcely any recommendation available to maintain seed quality during storage of pea seeds, hence present study was carried out. Methods: Seeds of pea (cvs. Azad P. 1 and Arkel) were treated with Captan and Carbendazim 50%WP fungicides @ 2.0 g/Kg seed and stored under ambient conditions. The samples were drawn at three months interval to assess the effect of storage on seed quality parameters. The vigour index I, per cent germination and speed of germination of these seed samples were determined using ISTA rules. The detection of associated mycoflora in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seed samples was carried out by standard blotter method as recommended by International Seed Testing Association. Result: Total fourteen fungal species were found associated with different pea seed samples. Out of these, maximum incidence of Alternaria alternata (21.36%) followed by Aspergillus flavus (15.53%), A. fumigatus (14.56%), A. niger (11.60%) and Rhizopus stolonifer (9.71%), were recorded on untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1, after 18 months of storage. The germination, speed of germination and vigour index of stored seed reduced with increase in storage period, whereas fungal incidence increased with the increasing storage period. Among the tested cultivars, germination in pea (cv. Arkel) remained above IMSCS even after 18 months of storage under ambient storage conditions. The maximum percent germination (99.0) was found in pea cv. Azad P. 1 seeds treated with Captan at 3 months of storage, whereas minimum percent germination (49.5) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 after 18 months of storage. The maximum speed of germination (23.88) was found in Captan treated seed of pea cv. Arkel at 0 month of storage and minimum speed of germination (3.52) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 at 18 months of storage. The maximum vigour index I (2339) was found in pea cv. Azad P. 1 (Captan treated seed) at 3 months of storage and minimum vigour index I (431) was found in untreated seed of pea cv. Azad P. 1 after 18 months of storage.

Evaluation of Integrated Seed Treatment on Seed Yield and Quality in Blackgram (Vigna mungo L.)

Background: In India pulses production and productivity is low and inadequate to meet the demand of nation. The alternate option to increase the pulse production is through seed amelioration by combining the seed hardening, coating and pelleting techniques. The current study was aimed to evaluate integrated seed treatment on seed yield and quality in blackgram. Methods: The seeds were first preconditioned by keeping them in between two layers of moist gunny bag for one hour. Then, the preconditioned seeds were soaked for three hours in 100 ppm ZnSO4 solution at 1/3 volume of seeds and shade dried to their original moisture content (hardened seed). Then the hardened seeds were supplemented with Polymer 3ml/kg + Carbendazim 2g/kg + Imidacloprid 1ml/kg for integrated seed treatment and field experiments were carried out along with untreated seed. Result: Among the seed treatments, integrated seed treatment recorded higher pod set per cent (84.00), number of pods / plant (52.00 pod yield / plant (27.60 g), pod yield / ha (752 kg), number of seeds / pod (6.00), seed yield / plant (17.6 g) and seed yield /ha (590 kg) which were respectively 3.70, 8.33, 4.15, 3.01, 20.00, 4.14 and 1.89 per cent higher than mere hardened and untreated control seeds thus suggesting that integrated seed treatment can be recommended for improving the productivity of blackgram.

Transmission of Microdochium albescens from seeds to seedlings in the pre-germinated cultivation system of irrigated rice

ABSTRACT: The fungus Microdochium albescens is one of the main pathogens associated with irrigated rice seeds in southern Brazil. The objective of the present study was to quantify the transmission of M. albescens from naturally infected seeds to the crown, coleoptile, and first true leaf of the seedlings of six cultivars growing in pre-germinated cultivation system of irrigated rice. Seeding was carried out on a water-saturated substrate, using four untreated seed lots for each of the six cultivars. At 14 days after sowing, the crown, coleoptile, and first true leaf of the seedlings were carefully highlighted, and the samples were disinfected and plated onto potato-sucrose-agar culture medium. M. albescens was transmitted asymptomatically to crown, coleoptile, and first true leaf, at rates of 39.3%, 25.8%, and 5.4%, respectively (these values represent the average incidence of the six cultivars). This is the first report that proves that M. albescens is transmitted from infected seeds to irrigated rice seedlings in a pre-germinated seed system.

The Effect of Priming Treatments on Germination and Seedling Performance of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) Seed Lots

This study was conducted to test the effect of a priming combination on the seed germination percentage and seedling emergence performance of purslane under climate chamber and field conditions. Four purslane seed lots were treated according five different methods, which were T1: Seeds kept at a hundred percent relative humidity for four hours at 20 °C; T2: Seeds kept at a hundred percent relative humidity for four hours at 20 °C, and then soaked in distilled water for 8 hours at 5 °C; T3: Seeds kept at a hundred percent relative humidity for four hours at 20 °C, and then soaked in distilled water for 8 hours at 20 °C; T4: Seeds soaked in distilled water for 8 hours at 5 °C; T5: Seeds soaked in distilled water for 8 hours at 20 °C; and C: Control (untreated). Seed germination was calculated for 14 days at 20 °C, seedling emergence percentages were calculated in the climatically-controlled chamber for 21 days at 22 °C, and in the field for 35 days at 15-25 °C. The highest seed germination (94%) and seedling emergence in the climatically-controlled chamber (87%) and field (82%) were obtained from seeds that had been kept at a hundred percent relative humidity for four hours at 20 °C, then soaked in distilled water for eight hours at 5 °C. Results indicated that farm-priming, can be an efficient priming method in purslane seeds.

Seed quality as influenced by seed invigouration treatments in pigeonpea [Cajanus Cajan (L.) Millsp.]

Pre- sowing treatments viz, 50ppm GA3, 2% CaCl2, 0.5% KNO3, Hydration (2h) and drying at room temperature >25 0C and surface drying, and hydration- dehydration (2h) + Thiram dressing @ 0.25% were applied to two seed lots (marginal and good) of two cultivars of pigeonpea i.e. Paras and Manak and untreated seed lot was taken as control. The results revealed that various pre sowing invigouration treatments enhanced the standard germination of both the seed lots. However, the improvement in marginal seed lot (L2) was more than good seed lot (L1). Among the treatments, hydration and dehydration + thiram @ 0.25 percent were found most effective (6.0%) for enhancing in germination. Similarly, irrespective of the priming treatments among the cultivars Paras performed better under field conditions than Manak. irrespective of the cultivars, and seed lots pre-sowing seed treatments namely GA3 (50ppm), cold hydration and cold hydration + 0.25% thiram showed improvement in germination and seed quality attributes, whereas remaining treatments showed negative effect. It was revealed also that variety Manak showed good enzyme activity (DHA, catalase, peroxide and superoxide dismutase) than the Paras. And among seed lots (Table 4) lot L1 showed good enzyme activities than lot L21

Pengaruh Jumlah Tanaman Per Lubang Terhadap Vigor Benih Tiga Varietas Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor [L].Moench) Dengan Metode Pengusangan Cepat (MPC)

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of the number of plants per hole on seed vigor of all sorghum varieties. Experiment is prepared by treatment with randomized block design (RAK) and repeated three times to do to achieve that goal. The first factor is the number of plants per hole that is 1 plant / hole (p1), 2 plants / hole (p2), 3 plants / holes (p3), and 4 plants / hole (p4). The second factor is the variety Numbu (g1), Keller (g2), and Wray (g3). The seed that had been harvested from each of the combination treatments in the test vigornya through germination test method Rolled Paper Test (UKD). Prior to germinate, seeds treated quickly with imbibition pengusangan on rice paper damp ethanol 8%. The results showed that the population of one plant per hole produces seeds with higher vigor than those harvested from other populations. Numbu varieties produce seeds with higher vigor than varieties Keller and Wray especially on untreated seed pengusangan quickly. Population 1 plant per hole produces the best vigor compared with a population of 2, 3 and 4 plants per hole on the three varieties of sorghum seed. Keywords: seeds, planting amount per hole, metode pemngusangan cepat, sorghum, vigor

Fipronil residual content in the soil for the control of Oryzophagus oryzae in subsequent flooded rice crops

The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of fipronil (a.i.) residual content in the soil of flooded rice fields, for the control of Oryzophagus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in subsequent rice cultivations. In 2010/2011, plots (25x55 m) were installed with three treatments: 30 g fipronil (a.i.) 100 kg-1 seed; mixture of 1/3 treated seed (30 g fipronil 100 kg-1 seed) with 2/3 untreated seed equivalent to 10 g fipronil (a.i.) 100 kg-1 seed; and a control without insecticide application. The plots were regrown in 2011/2012, 2012/2013, and 2013/2014 without any insecticide application. The following variables were evaluated: number of larvae and adults from standard samples of soil and roots, and grain yield. In 2011/2012 and 2012/2013, the concentrations of fipronil and of its residues in the soil of plots were evaluated by liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, and the metabolite fipronil-sulfide (≤ 1.1 μg kg-1) was detected. In the three seasons, after the use of seeds treated with 10 and 30 g fipronil, the average larval infestation of O. oryzae was 65.2 and 96.1% lower, and the average of rice grain yield was 16.9 and 25.5% higher than in the control plot, respectively. The residual fipronil content in the soil, mainly of the highest dose, effectively controls the insect.

Low-dose Application of Nonionic Alkyl Terminated Block Copolymer Surfactant Enhances Turfgrass Seed Germination and Plant Growth

Rapid seed germination and vigorous seedling growth are desired when establishing turfgrass lawns from seed. Low-dose concentrations of nonionic, block copolymer surfactants can have a direct effect on plant physiological functions and growth. The objectives were to determine if a low-dose application of a nonionic alkyl ended block copolymer surfactant applied directly to the seed, within a film coating, would 1) influence speed, synchrony, and final germination percentage (FGP), and 2) enhance seedling emergence and the speed of turfgrass establishment under deficit irrigation. Tests were performed with tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Surfactant was applied directly to the seed using a rotary seedcoater at 0.1% by weight of seed. In the first experiment, germination was compared between seeds with a surfactant film coating (SFC) and untreated seeds in growth chambers at three different constant temperatures (10, 20, and 30 °C). For both species, the SFC decreased the time for seed germination, and improved germination synchrony, with the greatest treatment response at 10 and 30 °C compared with untreated seed. Application of a SFC did not influence FGP. In the second experiment, untreated and treated seed were compared in a grow-room study, with pots watered weekly to 70% of field capacity (FC). Perennial ryegrass density, cover, and aboveground biomass from the SFC were ≈47%, 48%, and 46% greater than untreated seed, respectively. Tall fescue density, cover, and aboveground biomass from the SFC seeds were ≈22%, 23%, and 28% greater than untreated seed, respectively. Overall these studies demonstrate that SFC can promote seed germination and also enhance turfgrass establishment under deficit irrigation.

Seedling growth of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines affected by seed treatment with pesticides

Seed treatment is a common way of fungicide and insecticide use nowadays, since this way of pesticide application can provide the best protection in the vicinity of the future plant. The aim of research was to evaluate the effects of different seed treatments on germination and seedling growth in three maize inbred lines. The research included the seed treatment with several combinations of a fungicide Maxim XL 035-FS (a.i. metalaxil-M + fludioxonil) and neonicotinoid insecticides Gaucho 600-FS (a.i. imidacloprid) and Cruiser 350-FS (a.i. thiamethoxam), as well as untreated seed (control). The results indicated that inbred lines 21202 x 21101 NS and 317659 NS had a highly vigourous seed which was not affected by the seed treatments. The seed treatments with Maxim XL 035- FS+Gaucho 600-FS and Maxim XL 035-FS+Cruiser 350-FS led to a decrease in germination (90.25% and 89.50%, respectively) of maize inbred line 306081 NS as well as a decrease in root length (126.75 mm and 125.25 mm, respectively) and dry root weight (0.135 g and 0.1875 g, respectively) of maize inbred line 21202 x 21101 NS. All seed treatments had positive effects on root growth, as well as on fresh root weight of maize inbred lines 306081 NS and 317659 NS.