Seed Treatment and Its Significance in Nursery Raising
What is Seed Treatment?
Seed treatment refers to the process of applying physical, chemical, or biological substances to seeds before sowing. This treatment protects the seeds from pests, diseases, and environmental stresses, ensuring healthy germination and vigorous seedling growth.
Methods of Seed Treatment
- Physical Treatment:
- Soaking seeds in hot water to kill pathogens.
- Dry heat treatment or solarization.
- Mechanical scarification to break seed coat dormancy.
- Chemical Treatment:
- Treating seeds with fungicides, insecticides, or bioagents.
- Use of chemicals like Captan, Thiram, Carbendazim for fungal disease control.
- Seed priming with growth regulators or micronutrients.
- Biological Treatment:
- Coating seeds with beneficial microorganisms like Trichoderma, Rhizobium, or Azospirillum.
- These bio-agents enhance nutrient uptake and protect against pathogens.
- Natural Treatment:
- Soaking seeds in natural extracts like neem leaf extract or cow dung slurry for protection.
Steps in Chemical Seed Treatment (Example)
- Prepare the required fungicide/insecticide solution as per recommended dosage.
- Clean the seeds and dry them if necessary.
- Mix the seeds uniformly with the treatment solution.
- Dry the treated seeds in shade before sowing to avoid clumping.
- Sow the seeds immediately or store carefully for short duration.
Significance of Seed Treatment in Nursery Raising
1. Protection from Soil-Borne Diseases and Seed-Borne Pathogens
- Seed treatment protects seeds from fungal infections like damping-off disease (caused by Pythium, Rhizoctonia), bacterial and viral pathogens.
- Ensures healthy seedling emergence by preventing early seed decay.
2. Control of Insect Pests
- Treated seeds are protected from pests such as cutworms, termites, and seed borers.
- Reduces damage during seed germination and early growth stages.
3. Improved Germination and Seedling Vigour
- Treatment helps in breaking dormancy and promoting uniform germination.
- Enhances seedling vigour and growth rate, resulting in stronger nursery plants.
4. Reduction in Seedling Mortality
- Healthy seedlings with strong root systems emerge, reducing losses caused by diseases or pest attacks.
- Leads to higher survival rates after transplanting.
5. Cost-Effective and Eco-Friendly
- Seed treatment is a low-cost preventive measure compared to curative methods.
- Biological seed treatments promote eco-friendly farming by reducing chemical use.
6. Better Crop Establishment
- Healthy seedlings develop into vigorous plants, leading to better crop establishment and higher yields.
- Especially important for high-value horticultural crops where seedling quality impacts overall production.
Seed Treatment Practices in Indian Context (Examples)
| Crop | Common Seed Treatment | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato, Brinjal | Seed treatment with Thiram or Captan | Control fungal damping-off |
| Rice | Hot water treatment at 52°C for 30 min | Kill seed-borne pathogens |
| Pulses (Green gram) | Coating with Rhizobium culture | Nitrogen fixation and disease control |
| Vegetables | Neem leaf extract soak | Natural insecticide and fungicide |
| Forest seedlings | Trichoderma coating | Biological disease control |
Conclusion
Seed treatment is a critical step in nursery raising that ensures healthy, disease-free, and vigorous seedlings. It plays a vital role in improving germination, reducing seedling mortality, and promoting strong crop establishment. In India, adopting proper seed treatment techniques is essential for successful horticultural and agricultural production, especially in resource-limited small farms.