Biological Seed Coating Innovations for Sustainable Healthy Crop Growth in Tomato

Biological seed coating (BSC) is the fastest-growing segment under the seed treatment approaches in the global seed market. It refers to the application of certain beneficial microbes to the seed prior to sowing in order to suppress, control, or repel pathogens, insects, and other pests that attack seeds, seedlings, or plants. Beneficial bioagents along with the compatible adjuvants can safely be delivered through coatings onto the seed surface. The polymer acts as a protective cover for bioagents and helps in improving the shelf life and dust-free seed. It is an efficient mechanism for placement of microbial inoculum into soil where they colonize the seedling roots and protect against soil-borne pathogens. It is also used to increase the speed and uniformity of germination, along with protection against soil-borne pathogens in nursery and improves final stand. Some induces systemic resistance in plants against biotic agents. It is a low-cost, alternative viable technology to chemical-based plant protection and nutrition. Thus, the demand for biological seed treatment solutions is increasing in view of consumer acceptance for chemical-free food. They give protection to seedlings in the nursery against damping-off fungi like Fusarium spp. or Rhizoctonia spp. and improve crop growth and yield in the main field

Genetic Variability and Divergence of Morphological and Seed Quality Traits of Greengram (Vigna radiata L.) Genotypes

Forty greengram genotypes were evaluated for their morphological traits and to find the extent of genetic variability. Analysis of variance revealed that the genotypes were highly significant for all the characters studied, indicating the existence of considerable magnitude of variability. High (>20%) phenotypic co-efficient of variation and high genotypic co-efficient of variation for seed yield (kg/4.05 m2) in the present investigation was noticed and indicating the minimal influence of environment and presence of high genetic variability for the trait in the experimental material. Hence, selection based on phenotype in these genotypes can also be effective for improvement of seed yield. High heritability to plant height (cm), days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, pod length, 100 seed weight, protein estimation and medium heritability to seed yield (kg/4.05 m2). High GAM to plant height and seed yield demonstrates the presence of additive gene effect indicating effectiveness of selection for improvement of these traits. Mahalanobis D2 analysis suggested the maximum contribution of seed yield (74.87%) towards genetic diversity followed by Plant height (8.08%), Days to Maturity (7.69%), Pod length (4.36%), Days to 50% flowering (3.59%), Seedling Dry Weight (0.64%), Protein Estimation (0.64%), 100 seed weight (0.13%). All 40 genotypes were grouped into 12 clusters. The clustering pattern revealed that genetic diversity was associated with geographical diversity in the present research. Based on mean performances, the genotypes PUSA-9072, MLGG-21-2, IC-436557, MLGG-21-6, RMP-21-11, Gouri, MLGG-21-3, MGG-512, MGG-519 from these clusters can be directly used as parents in the hybridization programme. The output of this study is characterization of greengram genotypes for DUS characters and other traits. This study helps in identification of genotypes with suitable traits, helps in registration of lines with PPV and FRA and the material can be used in breeding programmes

Shelf life of bioagents and longevity of biologically coated pigeonpea seed

916-922Biological seed coating is a new technique of seed treatment through which biological agents are coated over the seed surface for effective control of seed and soil-borne pathogens. In this study, pigeonpea seed was biologically coated with Pseudomonas fluorescens, Rhizobium spp. and Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) using biofriendly polymer and sugar syrup as adjuvants. The shelf life of bioagents and seed quality parameters was studied during six months of storage period. The colony units of Pseudomonas increased with biofriendly polymer either as individual or in consortia with biofertilizers. Six months after treatment, more colony units of Pseudomonas fluorescens were recorded on the surface of biologically coated seed of pigeonpea with biofriendly polymer as an adjuvant compared to sugar syrup. Seeds coated with Pseudomonas and PSB using biofriendly polymer recorded high seed germination and seedling vigour compared to sugar syrup. The observations reveal that there is a possibility of coating seed with biological agents using biofriendly polymer immediately after processing or before packaging without affecting the shelf life of bioagents and seed quality. Thus, the biologically coated pigeonpea seed in advance of cropping season can go a long way in minimizing risk associated with on farm seed treatment