Seed Treatment for Bengalgram and Lentil Crop
Seed treatment is an essential step in crop production as it helps in enhancing seed quality, improving germination rate and vigour, and provides protection against disease and pests. In the case of lentil and Bengalgram crops, seed treatment is crucial as they are both important pulse crops in India and require healthy seed to achieve optimal yield.
Seed treatment involves the application of chemical, biological, or physical agents to the seeds to enhance their growth potential. It is important to apply seed treatment before sowing the seeds to ensure that they are protected from pests and diseases, which can significantly reduce crop yields.
The following are some of the effective seed treatment methods for lentil and Bengalgram crops:
1. Chemical seed treatment
Chemical seed treatment involves the application of synthetic chemicals to protect the seeds against pests and diseases. The most common chemicals used in seed treatment are fungicides and insecticides. These chemicals help to protect the seeds against seed rot, root rot, seedling blight, and other seed-borne diseases.
2. Biological seed treatment
Biological seed treatment involves the use of beneficial microorganisms to protect the seeds against pests and diseases. The most common microorganisms used in biological seed treatment are rhizobacteria and mycorrhizae. These microorganisms help to promote the growth of the plant roots, increase nutrient uptake, and improve plant health.
3. Physical seed treatment
Physical seed treatment involves the application of physical agents to the seeds to enhance their growth potential. This method includes seed priming, seed pelleting, and seed coating. Seed priming involves soaking the seeds in water before sowing them to enhance their germination rate. Seed pelleting and coating involve adding materials to the seed surface to protect them from pests and diseases.
In conclusion, seed treatment is an essential step in crop production, especially for lentil and Bengalgram crops. Applying the right seed treatment method can help in improving seed quality, enhancing germination rate and vigour, and protecting the seeds against pests and diseases. Therefore, farmers need to choose the right seed treatment method based on the agronomic and economic considerations to achieve optimal crop yield.