Effects of Plant Essential Oils on Seed Quality Parameters of Redgram (Cajanus cajan) During Storage

Abstract

A lab experiment was carried out at Entomology laboratory, Seed Research and Technology Centre and ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Telangana to study effect of plant essential oils viz, Gaultheria procumbens oil @ 5 ml kg-1 seed, Cedrus deodara @ 5 ml kg-1 seed, Cinnamomum camphora @ 5 ml kg-1 seed, Cymbopogan flexous @ 5 ml kg-1 seed, Eucalyptus radiata @ 5 ml kg-1 seed, Mentha piperita @ 5 ml kg-1 seed, Azadirachta indica @ 5 ml kg-1 seed and Deltamethrin 2.8 EC @ 0.04 ml kg-1 seed on quality parameters in redgram (Cajanus cajan) storage under ambient conditions during 2023-24. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design and all the treatments were replicated thrice. Among the plant essential oils, Mentha piperita @ 5 ml kg-1 and Eucalyptus radiata showed superior performance over other treatments resulting highest germination, field emergence percentage, seedling vigour index I, seedling vigour index II and also had a great promise in pest management. Considering the negative consequences of harmful synthetic chemicals, safe, readily available, and efficient plant essential oils should be introduced for seed treatments during storage for seed quality maintenance and reducing natural infestation of insects.