Effect of seed coating on seed storability and longevity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to identify an effective seed coating treatment and evaluate the effect of seed coating on seed longevity in rice. The experimental material consisted of seeds of rice variety HPR-1068, which were given nine different coating treatments comprising of polymer polykote, fungicide, insecticide, polymer-fungicide and polymer-insecticide combinations along with untreated control. The seeds were stored for thirty six months in three replicates after packing in HDPE (high density polyethylene) interwoven non-laminated bags. The seed quality parameters were evaluated at bimonthly intervals for twelve months. Irrespective of coating, seed showed deterioration and the seed vigour declined, probably due to increased fungal infection and seed aging. Amongst various treatments, seeds coated with polymer polykote @ 3 ml per kg of seed + vitavax 200 @ 2 g per kg of seed (T6) and polymer @ 3 ml per kg of seed + fowable thiram @ 2.4 ml per kg of seed (T4) were found signifcantly superior for all seed quality parameters viz., germination (75.33 and 75.00%), feld emergence (66.00 and 65.33%), seedling length (8.07 and 7.83 cm), seedling dry weight (0.048 and 0.046 g), speed of germination (9.00 and 8.83), seedling vigour index (608 and 588), lowest electrical conductivity (0.266 and 0.265 m mho/cm/g) and lowest seed (7.33 and 7.67%) infection, respectively, at the end of 36 months of storage over untreated control (T1).