Natural seed protectants for corn, mungbean and cotton.
1991
Rule A.B. | Fernandez P.G.
Powdered leaves (3 and 6 percent w/w) of neem (Azadirachta indica), Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) and lagundi (Vitex negundo), coconut (Cocos nucifera) oil (1 and 2 percent v/w), ground black pepper (Piper nigrum) seeds (0.12 and 0.24 percent w/w), wood ash (3 and 6 percent w/w) and Sevin (0.01 percent w/w) were used. Extracts of achuete (Bixa orellano), neem, kakawate and lagundi, tap water and Arazan suspension (0.03 percent) were also used to soak corn and mungbean seeds in for-1-6 hr before planting to assess their potential as germination protectant. Two varieties for each species were used and treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design. Seed storability in terms of percentage germination and vigor (seeds germinating/day) differed according to variety, type and amount of protectant. In general corn and mungbean stored better after 4-6 months in paper than in plastic with protectant effect independent of packaging material. Without protectant, cotton stored better in plastic than in paper but seeds in paper with protectants had generally similar storability to those in plastic. Coconut oil was ineffective. When costs of inputs and seed germinability were incorporated into the economic of storage, wood ash came out the cheapest and most effective among the treatments. Although generally better than Sevin, neem, black pepper and kakawate gave less consistent results than woodash. Presoaking corn and mungbean seeds in botanical extracts for 1-3 hr was generally as effective as, if not better than, water or Arazan and 6 hr soaking in improving seed germination and vigor.
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