Certainly! Here is a written article on seed treatment of gram:
Seed treatment is a crucial step that farmers and growers need to undertake for all crops to ensure good germination, growth, and high yields. One crop that requires seed treatment is gram, also known as chickpea. Gram, an important pulse crop, is grown extensively in many parts of the world, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
Seed treatment involves the application of chemical or biological agents on the seed surface or within the seed, to protect it from pests, diseases, and other environmental factors that could reduce seed quality and yield. Here are some benefits of seed treatment for gram:
1. Protection against pests and diseases: Seed treatments can control various pests and diseases that affect gram, such as seed-borne fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and insects. For example, fungicidal seed treatments can protect the seed from soil-borne fungi that cause damping-off and root rot, while insecticidal seed treatments can prevent damage caused by seed-attacking insects like bruchids.
2. Enhance seedling emergence: Gram seeds are highly susceptible to adverse environmental conditions such as drought, heat, and cold, which can delay or reduce seedling emergence. Seed treatments with growth promoters or micronutrients can improve the seed vigour and hasten seedling establishment.
3. Increase yields: When gram seeds are treated with fungicides, insecticides, or other growth regulators, the resultant plant growth and development are improved, leading to higher yields. The improved plant vigour and resistance to pests and diseases provide an opportunity for the plant to grow and produce more seeds or pods.
4. Reduce seedling mortality: Seed treatments can reduce seedling mortality significantly, as they protect the seed from pathogens and pests that could cause disease or damage to the young plants. This leads to better plant stands and hence, higher yields.
Some commonly used seed treatments for gram include fungicides like thiram, carbendazim, and metalaxyl, insecticides like carbofuran and imidacloprid, and biologicals like Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas spp. These treatments are applied as a seed-coating, dressing, or soaking method, depending on the type of seed treatment.
In conclusion, seed treatment is essential for ensuring high-quality seeds, good germination, and healthy plants that can produce higher yields. Farmers and growers should consider seed treatment as an integral part of their production process, particularly when growing gram. By investing in seed treatment, they can benefit from improved plant health, resistance to pests and diseases, and ultimately, higher yields.