In Vitro Evaluation of Seed Dressing Fungicides, Bioagents and Plant Extracts against Seed Mycoflora of Niger

Abstract

Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) seeds were evaluated for the efficacy of chemical fungicides, biological agents, plant extracts and organics in managing seed-borne infections and enhancing seed quality by the rolled paper towel method. All treatments significantly reduced seed infection and improved germination and seedling vigour over the untreated control, which recorded 43.67 per cent seed infection, 64.00 per cent germination and a vigour index of 1245.69. Seed treatment with (captan 70% + hexaconazole 5% WP) at 3 g/kg seed was most effective, with the lowest seed infection (14.56%), highest germination (90.67%) and vigour index (2410.24). Bioagent Trichoderma harzianum (IOF strain) at 10 g/kg seeds effectively reduced infection to 11.33 per cent, while improving germination to 81.33 per cent and vigour to 2045.76. Among botanicals, garlic clove extract at 10 per cent was found superior, with the least per cent seed infection (20%), highest germination (79.33%) and a vigour index of 1987.27. Among the three commercial products tested, seed soaking with Multineem was effective, with a seed germination rate of 70 per cent, which was comparable to seed soaking with Nembecidine, with a germination rate of 64.67 per cent. However, seed soaking with Nembecidine showed the lowest seed infection of 27.67 per cent. In contrast, cow urine and vermiwash were less effective than the untreated check. The findings support the integrated use of chemical and biological treatments for effective and sustainable seed health management.