Comparison of seed dressing treatments of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) at Cleanwater in the lower Markham Valley, Papua New Guinea

摘要

While seed dressing with chemicals is a routine practice in commercial production, it is not a common practice in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Rather, soaking of seed in water overnight prior to planting is commonly practised with a belief that it improvesseed germination. However, there is no information about the effectiveness of the local practice. There is a need to explore cost-effective seed-dressing techniques that are effective in controlling seed and soilborne diseases. The paper describes results from various seed dressing trials conducted during the 2003-04 season at Trukai Farm's Cleanwater site. The study showed that appropriate seed-dressing treatments can reduce seedling mortality due to soilborne pests and diseases. Losses up to 50% of the total seed sown were observed in untreated plots. This trial highlighted that either captan fungicide alon.e or as a mix with carbaryl insecticide at the rate of 3 g per 10 kg, was most effective in reducing seedling mortality.