Effect of Seed Coating with Synthetic Polymer and Additives on Storability of Soybean Seeds under Mid Hill Condition of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

An experiment was conducted at Seed Technology Laboratory, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur during 2013-14 to study the effect of seed coating with polymer, fungicides and insectiside on seed quality of soybean var. Harasoya. The seeds were coated with polymer, fungicides, insecticide, polymer-fungicides and polymer insectiside combinations and stored in polythene bag for 12 months. Irrepective of seed coating with synthetic polymer and additives, seed deteriorated and the vigour declined with increased fungal infection and insect infestation after twelve months of storage seeds. Seed coated with polymer @ 3.0 ml per kg of seed and flowable thiram @ 2.4 ml per kg of seed (T₃) maintained the highest soybean seed germination (84.00%), seedling length (28.80cm), field emergence (76.5%), seedling dry weight (0.435g) and seedling vigour index (2419) upto 12 months over the untreated control (T₀). Seed coated with polymer @ 3.0 ml per kg of seed and imidacloprid @ 6 ml per kg of seed (T₇) recorded lowest insect infestation (0.50%) and seed coated with polymer @ 3.0 ml per kg of seed and flowable thiram @ 2.4 ml per kg of seed (T₃) exhibited lowest seed infection (1.25%) as compared to untreated control (T₀at) the end of 12 months of storage.