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Seed Treatment of Paddy (Jhona)
Paddy (Oryza sativa) is a staple crop in many countries, especially in Asia. It is grown for its edible grains in fields which are flooded with water. Despite the availability of high yielding varieties of paddy, various biotic and abiotic stresses often reduce its production. Seed treatment is a way to increase the yield of paddy by protecting the seeds from pests and diseases.
Seed treatment involves coating the seeds with chemical or biological substances to protect them from soil-borne diseases and insect damage. It is a preventive measure that reduces the probability of crop loss. Paddy seed treatment can be done by using chemical pesticides or biocontrol agents. The most popular method of seed treatment is chemical treatment, which involves treating the paddy seeds with insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. However, the use of chemical pesticides may pose risks to human health and the environment.
Biocontrol agents are microorganisms or natural substances that are used to protect seeds from pests and diseases. Biocontrol agents include microbes such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Biological seed treatment can be done in two ways: inoculation and seed coating. In inoculation, beneficial microbes are introduced into the soil to colonize the root zone of the plant. In seed coating, microorganisms are applied to the surface of the seeds. Seed coating is the most popular method of biological seed treatment.
Benefits of Seed Treatment
1. Disease Prevention: Seed treatment prevents soil-borne diseases from infecting the paddy plant. It also prevents the spread of diseases from one plant to another.
2. Pest Control: Seed treatment also controls pests that attack the paddy plant, such as stem borers, leaf folders, and rice weevils.
3. Improved Seed Germination: Seed treatment improves seed germination by protecting the seeds against soil-borne diseases and insect damage.
4. Increased Yield: Seed treatment leads to increased yields of paddy. Farmers can expect higher profits because more of the seeds will germinate, and the plants will be healthier.
Conclusion
Seed treatment is a beneficial practice for paddy crops as it helps to increase their yield and protect them from pests and diseases. Seed treatment is an alternative to using synthetic pesticides, which have negative consequences for human health and the environment. Biocontrol agents can be used instead of chemical pesticides to decrease the impact of synthetic pesticides on the environment. Biological seed treatment provides a way of protecting paddy crops without harming the environment.