EFFECT OF SEED TREATMENT ON PREVALENCE OF SEED BORNE PATHOGENS AND SEEDLING GROWTH OF WHEAT

Abstract

The experiment was carried out in the Department of Plant Pathology at Hajee Mohammed Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur during 2012-2013 cropping season to determine the effect of plant extract and fungicide to control the seed borne pathogen and improve seedling growth of wheat. Seed treatment was done with allamonda leaf extract, garlic extract, provex and secure. The treated seeds were analyzed for seed health and seed germination after storage period of 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Seed borne fungi detected from seed samples was treated with plant extract and fungicides. These were Bipolaris sorokiniana. Alternaria alternata, Fusarium sp. and Aspergillus sp. Seed treatment with plant extract and fungicide inhibited all the fungal growth on seed and increased the seed germination and normal seedlings compared to control treatment. But maximum inhibition of fungal growth as well as increased seed germination and normal seedlings were found when seeds were treated with fungicide provex followed by allamonda leaf extract. The minimum presence of seed borne pathogen was recorded when provex treated seeds were analyzed immediately after treatment. On the other hand, maximum seed borne pathogens were recorded when untreated seeds were analyzed at 60 days after treatment. Provex treated seed at first date showed the highest percentage of normal seedlings and the lowest percentage of abnormal seedlings. On the contrary, non treated seed at 60 days showed the highest percentage of abnormal and the lowest percentage of normal seedlings. Plant growth was significantly enhanced by provex compared to other treatments. Height of shoot and root as well as weight of shoot and root was found maximum when provex treated seeds were analyzed at first date and was found minimum when analyzed at 60 days after treatment.