Seed infusion with liquid microbial consortia for improving germination and vigour in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) hepper]

Abstract

Blackgram seeds soaked in the liquid cultures viz., Rhizobium @ 1: 50 dilution for 3 h or phosphobacteria @ 1:50 dilution for 4 h or PPFM @ 1:100 dilution for 3 h have showed the increased germination and vigour. Among the cultures, PPFM performed better with the population of 3 x 104 cfu g-1 of seed during three months storage. Also, increased seed vigour was found in the seed infusion treatment with microbial consortia viz., Rhizobium @1:50 dilution + PPFM @1:100 dilution (1:1) for 3 h with the populations of 3 x 104 and 2 x 104 cfu g-1 of seed respectively. In addition, the seed infusion with PPFM liquid culture @ 1:100 dilution for 3 h followed by polymer coating @ 5 ml kg-1 or carbendazim treatment @ 2 g kg-1 or polymer coating @ 5 ml kg-1 + carbendazim treatment @ 2 g kg-1 of seed have recorded the increased germination and vigour. However, the reduction in bioinoculants population was noticed when the seeds treated with carbendazim fungicide. Nevertheless, the minimum population of 1 x 104 cfu g-1 of seed was recorded in the fungicide treated seeds.