Effect of Fungicides on Seed Mycoflora and Seed Germination of Chickpea

摘要

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is the premier pulse crop of India, and widely appreciated as health food. In India, it is grown extensively over an area of 7.89 million ha with an annual production of 7.06 million tonnes and productivity of 895 kg perha. In Andhra Pradesh, it occupies an area of 0.61 m.ha with an annual production of 0.86 million tonnes, having a productivity of 1412 kg per ha. Though it ranks first in productivity in the country, the yields are still low due to poor plant stand, incidence of pests and diseases, poor quality seeds, variable soil moisture and seed mycoflora. These factors affect the seed germination and quality, ultimately affecting the crop productivity. Besides seed-borne pathogenic organisms, some saprophytic organisms directly (or) indirectly affect the seed germination.