Seed treatments for sustainable agriculture-A review

Seed treatment refers to the application of certain agents physical, chemical or biological to the seed prior to sowing in order to suppress, control or repel pathogens, insects and other pests that attack seeds, seedlings or plants and it ranges from a basic dressing to coating and pelleting. Introduction and ban of arsenic (used from 1740 until 1808) is the key milestones in the history of modern seed treatment till then a continuous research and advancement in this technology is going on. The technological advancement prepared a roadmap for refiningexisting seed treatment technologies and future work on technologies like fluid drilling as a way to sow germinated seeds where gel can also serve as a delivery system for other materials, seed priming advances the early phase of germination without redicle emergence. Another advanced technology, solid matrix priming (SMP) has been evaluated as a means to advances the germination of seeds and serve as a carrier for useful material too. Physical and biological seed treatments alone an alternative to chemicals or in combination with a chemical treatment are being used worldwide because of their environmental safety and socioeconomic aspects. Biological seed treatments are expected to be one of the fastest growing seed treatment sectors in the near future, in part because they are easier to register at Environment Protection Agency (EPA). Lack of awareness to seed treatments at farmer’s level is one of the limiting factors in disease management and hence, efforts should be made at farmer’s level to adopt the technology. Keeping the all above facts in mind, selected seed treatment technologies with their improvement and significance will be discussed in this review

Culture and physiological variability in Rhizoctonia solani, responsible for foliar and lesions on aerial part of soybean

Foliar blight of soybean is one of the major fungal diseases. Rhizoctonia solani isolated from soybean growing in tarai regions of Uttarakhand. Six isolates of R. solani has been characterized on the basis of cultural and physiological nature such as colony diameter, growth, colour and sclerotia formation were recorded. Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) was found best for growth and development. Two isolates (Lakhimpur and Pantnagar) covered the whole plates (90 mm) in 48 hrs. However, maximum number of sclerotia and weight was recorded on Czapek Dox agar medium. Overall radial growth supporting is recorded Corn Meal Agar Medium. Varied range of temperatures i.e. 10, 15, 25, 30, 35 and 400C was tested and found better growth of different isolates of R. solani at 10 - 400C, with an optimum growth temperature at 300C. Isolates were grown on five broth media (Asthana & Hawkers, Potato Dextrose Agar, Czapek’s Dox Agar, Corn Meal Agar and Richards Agar) for fresh, dry weight and oat meal broth culture filtrates of all isolates was used in phytotoxic effects. It recorded that maximum fresh and dry weight was observed on corn meal agar medium. The maximum reduction in radical and plumule length of germinating seeds were recorded in Haldichaur isolate

Morphological and cultural characterization of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler blight of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex J.D. Hook)

Fungal blights are among the major concern for limiting the cultivation and production of many ornamental and flowering plants. Gerbera is an important cut flower with great export potential. However, it is infected by many pathogens in the protected cultivation. The severe infection of fungal blight caused by Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler was observed in the polyhouse condition. Hence, in this study, critical morphological and cultural studies were done to understand the pathogen behaviour. The fungus A. alternata produced profuse mycelium on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) with an average width of 4.42 ?m in diameter, conidiophores, conidia and intercalary chlamydospores measured as 42.26 x 4.29 ?m, 47.16 x 13.49 ?m and 7.22 ?m in diameter, respectively. The synthetic media viz., Leonions’s agar, Glucose-peptone agar and Sabourand’s agar and non-synthetic media, Oat meal agar and PDA were excellent for the mycelial growth and conidial production of A. alternata

Fungicidal management of Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissler causing blight of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex J.D. Hook)

Alternaria, the fungal pathogen has wide host range generally attacks the aerial parts of plants causing leaf spots and blights. Gerbera is a genus of ornamental flower plants. Gerbera plants are infected by many diseases. Different disease management practices are adopted in gerbera cultivation. The fungicidal management of Alternaria blight is one of the important strategies for the disease management in gerbera in polyhouse condition. In this study, preventive and curative fungicidal sprays were adopted for the management of blight disease in polyhouse. This study revealed that preventive fungicidal sprays were significant over curative fungicidal sprays for the management of Alternaria alternata blight of gerbera (Gerbera jamesonii H. Bolus ex J.D. Hook) in polyhouse. The preventive sprays made of Bordeaux mixture (0.6 %), tricyclazole (0.1%) and iprodione + carbendazim (0.1%) fungicides were found effective with 95.85 %, 96.59 % and 95.88 % disease control respectively, under polyhouse condition

A study on fungicides potential and incidence of sheath rot of rice caused by Sarocladium oryzae (Sawada)

Sheath rot, Sarocdadium oryzae (Sawada) Gams. and Hawksw., has recently become a serious disease of rice when climatic conditions are unfavorable during flag sheath development. In this study systemic and nonsystemic fungicides were tested against S. oryzae. Maximum inhibition of radial growth (76.53%) was recorded at 10.0ppm of tebuconazole fungicides. In non-systemic fungicides, maximum inhibition of radial growth (78.86%) was recorded at 200.0ppm. Comparative efficacy of fungicides on sheath rot was tested during Kharif 2008-2009. Foliar spray of tebuconazole was found superior overall other treatments giving reduction in disease severity (59.01-64.33%), which was followed by followed by carbendazim (48.70-55.28%), and also increased grain yield per plant (45.06-65.84%), grain yield per plot (45.57-65.85%), 1000-grains weight (10.80-52.58%) and reduction in chaffiness (48.07-53.80%). Among non-systemic fungicides chorothalonil was found best in managing sheath rot, giving reduction in disease severity (35.68-38.85%), and also increased grain yield per plant (24.78-44.74%), grain yield per plot (24.52-44.57%), 1000-grains weight (4.25-35.47%) and reduction in chaffiness (15.74-45.96%) as compared to check. Another field experiment was conducted during Kharif 2009-10 to observe sheath rot incidence on rice cultivars in Tarai region. The incidence was recorded in thirty three varieties; only varieties (Type-3 and Basmati-370) were recorded as free from disease symptoms

Effect of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty on left ventricular function in rheumatic mitral stenosis

Objective: Patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis, despite having normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LV EF), have ventricular dysfunction in the form of impaired longitudinal excursion. Tissue Doppler velocity is a useful indicator for assessment of long-axis ventricular shortening and lengthening. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV) on LV function in rheumatic MS and to study echocardiographic parameters with M-Mode and Tissue Doppler Imaging pre PBMV, post PBMV and on follow-up to determine predictors of LV function. Methods: We analysed 52 patients with severe mitral stenosis with normal LV EF, who underwent PBMV at our institute. Baseline parameters of LV function were compared with immediate post PBMV and at three months follow up. Results: The mean age of the patients was 33.73 (10.87) years with female preponderance. The mean mitral valve area before PBMV was 0.92 (0.13) cm2 which increased to 1.65 (0.21) cm2 after PBMV and at 3 month it was 1.61 (0.23) cm2 (p0.05). Mitral valve E’ was 8.71 (1.54) cm/s which increased to 10.13 (1.68) cm/s post PBMV and at 3 month it was 10.83 (1.34) cm/s (p<0.001).. Mitral annular systolic velocity (MASV), before PBMV was 7.90 (0.96) cm/s which increased to 9.31 (1.68) cm/s after PBMV and at 3 month it was 10.13 (0.96) cm/s (p<0.001). Myocardial performance index (MPI) before PBMV was 0.54 (0.48) which decreased post PBMV to 0.47 (0.06) and at 3 month it was 0.38 (0.04) (p=0.01). Pre PBMV MPI value <0.48 predicted improvement in LV function (sensitivity: 81%, specificity: 58.1%). Conclusion: Thus, PBMV leads to improvement in LV function in patients with severe MS with normal LV EF

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Not AvailableMicroorganisms are silently playing valuable role in the biogeochemical cycles of the atmosphere since the early days of their evolution and it is because of their activities, this earth has been transformed into today’s situation. These tiny and often unseen organisms are responsible for recycling of nutrients and organic compounds and contribute to plant, animal and human nutrition, soil structure and fertility, soil health and ecosystem functioning. Prokaryotes, the first life forms of the earth are considered as the ancestors of all kinds of organisms. These life forms with cells having hereditary information not bound by the nucleus (karyon) have existed twice longer (4 Gyr) than higher eukaryotic organisms with DNA bound in nucleus such as fungi, plants and animals (2 Gyr).Not Availabl

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Not AvailableIntensive agriculture involving high crop intensity, unavailability of organics, and higher use of straight fertilizers causes imbalanced use and deficiencies of several other macro and micronutrients. Nutrients supply through the integration of microbial consortium containing Gluconacetobater diazotrophicus, Trichoderma harzianum, and Pseudomonas fluorescens can reduce the requirements on the one hand and can also increase the response of chemical fertilizers. Thus we had planned the present experiment with the objectives (i) to determine the effect of integrated application of microbial consortium (MC) and NPK fertilizer on soil quality parameters and crop growth and yield attributes and (ii) to assess the effect of integration on agronomic efficiency of N, P and K and find out the possibilities for reduction in applied doses of NPK, if any. Five treatments viz., T1; N0P0K0; T2: N75P13K25; T3: N150P26K50; T4: N75P13K25 + microbial consortium and T5: N150P26K50 + microbial consortium containing new strains of Trichoderma harzianum, Gluconcetobacter diazotrophicus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens (CFU 109– 10 per ml liquid culture) were evaluated under four replications in a randomized block design (RBD). Experimental results indicated that integrating microbial consortium and NPK fertilizers’ application proved effective in improving soil organic carbon, soil microbial population, microbial biomass carbon, microbial biomass nitrogen, and soil respiration. Integrated use of microbial consortium with NPK also improved the cation exchange capacity of soil and roots. However, the growth and yield attributes, nutrients uptake, sugarcane, and sugar yields also revealed a positive effect of microbial consortium’s integrated application with NPK. The integration of MC and NPK also improved the agronomic efficiency of applied nutrients (NPK). Reduction of 50% NPK with these microbial consortia (Trichoderma harzianum, Gluconcetobacter diazotrophicus, and Pseudomonas fluorescens) was found better than the application of full NPK through chemical fertilizers. Thus application of N150P26K50 with microbial consortium can sustain soil fertility besides improving sugarcane and sugar yields in subtropical Indian conditions.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableCrop diversification provides an opportunity for farmers to maximize their profits, fulfilling multiple needs, avoid monsoon threats, and make the crop production system sustainable. Inclusion of various pulse/oilseed/vegetables/cereals/medicinal/aromatic crops with sugarcane bring forth cultivation of these crops in irrigated agro-system and improves the yields of component crops. Besides, the component crops improve soil fertility and create a favorable environment for the further growth of sugarcane crops. Sprouting in winter-initiated sugarcane ratoon could be enhanced by adopting fodder legumes such as Indian clover and Egyptian clover. Intercropping vegetables provides an ample opportunity for mid-season income generation and improves profitability. Besides, high-value medicinal and aromatic crops such as tulsi (holy basil), mentha could also be included in the sugarcane-based system. Crop residue management has been recognized as a critical issue in managing the crops in the various cropping systems. Including multiple bio-agents for fast decomposition of crop residues provides scope for managing soil organic carbon through crop residue recycling in the system. Resource use efficiencies, nutrient use, water use, and weed control could be increased by adopting suitable crops in intercropping systems. An integrated farming system involving crop, livestock, and fisheries options could improve farmers' profit besides employment generation in rural India. Recycling of bye products and co-products of other enterprises influences the viability and farmer's profitability of the system. Trash, press mud cake, vinasse, composted bagasse, rhizodeposition of stubble play a significant role in sustaining soil fertility and increasing crop productivity. New emerging crop diversification options viz., intercropping of rajmash, winter maize, and garlic in autumn cane generate mid-season income and enhance the system's profitability for small and marginal cane growers. Dual-purpose legumes viz., cowpea, and green gram as intercrops with spring-planted cane increase the pool of soil microbial biomass nitrogen capitalize allelopathic effects and sustain soil health. In the present paper, these issues have been discussed. Due to the adoption of location-specific and farmers-centric systems, farmers' profitability could be increased, providing sustainability to the sugarcane-based systems.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableSoil compaction in the plow layer of soils is becoming a serious concern because of conventional tillage practices adopted by sugarcane growers utilizing a rotavator, particularly in medium to heavy textured soils. Continuous use of machinery causes compaction in the plow layer; thus strategic tillage practices have become an essential component in intensive agriculture. Keeping these points in view, a field experiment was conducted in split plot design considering four pre-plant tillage treatments, i.e., (i) one subsoiling (SS) followed by two harrowings (H) (ii) subsoiling alone and direct planting through Sugarcane Cutter Planter (SS) (iii) one plowing through moldboard (MB) plow and two harrowings (MB+H) (iv) and conventional practice (CP) in main plots and three ratoon management treatments viz., (i) HW:Three hand weedings (HW) (ii) integrated weed management (IWM), trash mulching at the time of ratoon initiation and application of microbial consortia (TM +MC) in subplots. Results on bulk density in surface and subsurface layers indicated a significant reduction due to subsoiling. Higher availability of N (252 to 310.2 kg ha−1) was analyzed with adoption of subsoiling as compared to conventional practice (218.4 to 224 kg N ha−1). Subsoiling improved soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) by 39% to 73% and 32.20% to 46% as compared to conventional practice in 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm depth, respectively. Among all the primary tillage treatments, subsoiling enhanced SMBC at the highest level (1574 mg C/kg soil/day in 0–15 cm soil depth). Sugarcane (97.26 t ha−1) and sugar (11.87 t ha−1) yields also improved significantly under subsoiling as compared to other pre-plant tillage treatments. Subsoiling before planting also increased mean ratooncane (117.6 t ha−1) and sugar yields (14.48 t/ha). In addition to trash mulching and application of microbial consortia in ratoon crop proved effective for sustaining higher ratoon yields in sugarcane.Short title: Minimum tillage affecting soilNot Availabl