Phosphine fumigation against pulse beetle: Germination and vigour of green gram seed.
1995
Gupta M. | Kashyap R.K.
Stored seed of legume crops are infested with Pulse beetle, Callosobruchus spp. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) which results in deterioration of the seed quality. Repeated phosphine fumigations are carried out to check the infestation of this bruchid in seed stores under sub-tropical conditions, especially during the rainy (monsoon) season. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of phosphine fumigation at different doses (0.125, 0.250 and 0.500 mg/l), exposure periods (1 to 45 days) and seed moisture content (9 % and 12 %) on bruchid mortality percentage, seed germination and seedling vigour index in green gram (Phaseolus radiatus L.). Bruchid mortality was not affected by seed moisture content alone, though phosphine doses and exposure periods affected the mortality significantly. Deleterious effects on seed germination, shoot and root length and also seedling vigour index were observed with repeated fumigations at varying doses and exposure periods in combination with seed moisture content (mc). At 12 % mc, deterioration of seed quality was rapid even when seed was exposed to normal recommended (0.250 mg/l) phosphine doses. The results of this study have important implications during revalidation of old seed stocks, which are often stored for long periods under sub-tropical conditions.
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