Seed Treatment and its Importance

摘要

A major break through in increasing food grain production in India has been possible mainly because of the introduction of high yielding cultivars of cereal crops. These high-yielding cultivars have often shown susceptibility to various diseases. In recent years, seed borne diseases have causes substantial losses to crops all over the world. In Punjab, loose smut of wheat alone caused 1.1 lakh tons loss in yield worth Rs. 4.4 crore during year 1995-96. So it becomes essential to control the seed borne diseases at the time of sowing, with recommended fungicides/ bactericides not only protects the crop from particular disease but also is economical. General method for the control of seed-borne diseases is the use of certified seed. Alternatively, farmer may himself treat the seed with chemicals to avoid losses in yield due to seed-borne diseases.