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Impact of Thermotherapy on the Seed Quality of Pusa Basmati 1121

Author: S. Dilip Kumar Reddy, Kamal Khilari, Ramji Singh, Ramesh Singh, Hem Singh and M. K. Yadav

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Abstract

Nearly half of world population consumes rice as the principal food crop. Rice is affected by several seed borne pathogens. Seed treatment with chemical will pose adverse effects on the environment. The excessive use of fungicides has raised concerns such as a decrease in the fungicide sensitivity of the pathogens. For this reason, alternative methods are being investigated to control the disease. To reduce the inoculum level of seedborne pathogens in rice seeds and to improve the germination speed of the seed. Hot water treatment is one of the non chemical method can be used as an alternative strategy to control seedborne pathogens of rice but it may adversely affect germination and seedling vigour. Hence, we tested the thermotherapy at different temperatures and different times of exposures. The parameters such as germination percentage, plumule length, radicle length, total seedling length and seed vigour were recorded. Hot water treatment at 55°C for 15 minutes was physiologically safe for rice seed. The hot water treatment at 65°C for 20 minutes consistently decreased seed quality in all parameters and is considered an unsafe treatment for rice variety.

Keywords

Hot water treatment, seed borne pathogens, seed germination, seed vigour

Conclusion

Thermotherapy is an alternative method to prevent the seed borne pathogens of rice. The treatment at 55°C and with an exposure time 15 minutes showed better performance in germination percentage and seed vigour index. The treatment at 60°C and with an exposure time 20 minutes decreased the seed germination and seed vigour index and found inferior among all the treatments.

References

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How to cite this article

S. Dilip Kumar Reddy, Kamal Khilari, Ramji Singh, Ramesh Singh, Hem Singh and M. K. Yadav (2022). Impact of Thermotherapy on the Seed Quality of Pusa Basmati 1121. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4): 710-714.