Seed Treatment for Gram: A Way to Boost Crop Production
Gram or chickpea is a widely cultivated pulse crop that has high nutritional and economic value. It is an important source of protein, carbohydrate, and dietary fiber, and is consumed by millions of people worldwide. However, like any other crop, gram is also susceptible to various biotic and abiotic stresses that can lead to lower yields and poor crop quality. To address these challenges, seed treatment has emerged as an effective and economical approach to enhance the germination, vigor, and disease resistance of gram seeds.
Seed treatment refers to the application of various chemicals or biologicals to the seed surface or within the seed to protect against pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. In the case of gram, seed treatment can improve seedling emergence, accelerate root development, provide protection against seed- and soil-borne diseases, and increase productivity. Let’s take a closer look at the different seed treatment techniques available for gram.
Chemical Seed Treatment:
Chemical seed treatment involves the application of synthetic or organic chemicals to the seed surface or within the seed. The most commonly used chemicals in gram seed treatment include fungicides, insecticides, nematicides, and growth regulators. These chemicals are either applied as a dry powder or as a liquid solution to the seed surface, and can effectively control diseases and pests that affect seed and early plant growth. Some of the commonly used chemical seed treatments for gram are:
1. Captan: It is a broad-spectrum fungicide that controls various seed-borne diseases, including ascochyta blight and fusarium wilt.
2. Thiram: It is a fungicide that provides protection against soil-borne and seed-borne diseases, especially damping-off.
3. Carbendazim: It is a systemic fungicide that inhibits the growth of fungi and provides broad-spectrum disease control, including ascochyta blight and fusarium wilt.
4. Imidacloprid: It is an insecticide that controls the larvae of various soil-borne insects, including wireworms and cutworms.
Biological Seed Treatment:
Biological seed treatment involves the use of naturally occurring microorganisms or their derivatives to improve seedling growth and protect against diseases and pests. Biological seed treatments are eco-friendly and sustainable, and can improve the soil health and plant performance. Some of the commonly used biological seed treatments for gram are:
1. Trichoderma spp.: It is a naturally occurring fungus that provides protection against various soil-borne pathogens, including fusarium oxysporum.
2. Pseudomonas fluorescens: It is a bacterium that can suppress the growth of soil-borne pathogens, including rhizoctonia, pythium, and fusarium.
3. Bacillus subtilis: It is a bacteria-based biofungicide that can control various soil-borne diseases, including damping-off and root rot.
Benefits of Seed Treatment:
Seed treatment is a cost-effective and efficient way to enhance the productivity and profitability of gram farming. Some of the key benefits of seed treatment are:
1. Improved germination and seedling emergence: Seed treatment can enhance the germination and seedling emergence rates, leading to higher plant density and faster crop establishment.
2. Disease and pest protection: Seed treatment provides protection against various seed- and soil-borne diseases and pests that affect the early growth and development of the plants.
3. Increased yield and crop quality: Seed treatment can improve the vigour and health of the plants, leading to higher grain yield and better crop quality.
Conclusion:
Seed treatment is a crucial step in modern farming practices that can help farmers to increase their crop production and sustainability. Gram seed treatment can be done with different chemical and biological agents that can help to control disease and pests, and improve germination and crop establishment. Farmers should choose the right combination of seed treatment agents that suits their farming conditions and practices. By adopting seed treatment technology, farmers can achieve higher yields, improved quality, and greater profitability.