Enhancement in seed quality, growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) through polymer seed coating

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive years (2009-10 and 2010-11) during Rabi seasons at the research farm of\rDirectorate of Seed Research, Mau to study the effects of polymer seed coating along with insecticide, bio-agent and natural fillers on seed\rquality parameters, growth and yield of wheat. One year old seeds of two wheat varieties (HUW-234 and HD- 2824) were coated with 5\rdifferent treatments viz., polykote @ 3 ml/kg seed alone (T1), polykote @ 3 ml/kg + Trichoderma viride @ 3 g./kg seed (T2), polykote @ 3 ml/\rkg + insecticide (carbaryl) @ 3g/kg seed (T3), polykote @ 3 ml/kg + neem oil @ 10ml/kg seed (T4) and in combination of polykote @ 3 ml/kg\r+ insecticide (carbaryl) @ 3g/kg seed + neem oil @ 10ml/kg seed (T5), one uncoated set of seed was kept as control (T0). The seeds were shade\rdried after coating and sown in field using Factorial Randomized Black Design in 3 replications with applying recommended doses of NPK\r(120:60:40). Results obtained revealed that wheat seed coating with polykote @ 3 ml/kg seed + insecticide (carbaryl) @ 3g/kg seed (T3), + neem\roil @ 10ml/kg seed significantly increased the seed quality parameters, growth, total dry matter production, yield attributes and finally the yield\rof wheat over uncoated control. Moreover, polymer (polykote @ 3 ml/kg seed) coating in combination of insecticide carbaryl @ 3g/kg seed or\rneem oil @ 10ml/kg seed separately also showed at par results compared to the combination of polykote @ 3 ml/kg + Trichoderma viride (@3\rg./kg seed) which showed non-significant results on above parameters.