Seed treatment for plant disease control -A lecture note prepared for L-4 S-1 Students of Agriculture Faculty students at BAU

1. A Lecture note prepared for
SEED TREATMENT FOR
Level-4 Semester-1 students
PLANT DISEASE CONTROL
April-2013
Seed Treatment- Turn your seeds into super seeds
In modern times a lot of attention is paid to protecting plants from different kinds of diseases and
pests. This is sometimes accomplished by breeding varieties that are resistant to diseases, thereby
protecting the crop through its growth cycle. However, when resistant varieties are not available
or the level of resistance is not sufficient under high disease and pest pressure, the grower may
decide to use crop protection methods i.e., applying plant protection compounds (chemicals or
biological material). These compounds can be used in two ways, either as an application to the
soil or sprayed directly on the plant. Such crop protection methods may require the use of
significant quantities of active substances.
An excellent alternative is to apply crop protection compounds directly to the seed before
sowing. Such a treatment to the seed requires the use of very small quantities of active
substances per unit area of land, and is a very effective and targeted method of controlling pests
and diseases. Seed treatments are a valuable tool for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as they
exert little pressure on the environment Seed treatments promote seedling establishment and help
reduce yield and quality losses due to many pathogens and insects. Seed treatment is one of the
easiest methods of disease control in the home garden even though seed treatments will not
control foliar diseases that may attack the plants later on in the season. Seed treatments can be an
environmentally more friendly way of using pesticides as the amounts used can be very small. It
is usual to add color to make treated seed less attractive to birds if spilt and easier to see and
clean up in the case of an accidental spillage. However, the main value of seed treatment is the
increase in stand or the number of plants that emerge from the soil. Plants will also have healthy
root systems which enable them to get a vigorous start. Another side benefit of seed treatment
may be to reduce the introduction of disease-causing fungi found on the seed from getting into
pathogen-free soil.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 1

2. Seed treatment- How to define it
Seed treatment is the process by which seeds are treated with physical, chemical or biological
agents to prevent the infection of seedlings and the subsequent development of the crops.
Why do we treat seeds?
To prevent germination failure, infection of seedlings and subsequent crops by destroying
externally contaminated and internally seed-borne pathogens.
To prevent the germinating seed and seedling from the attack of soil-borne pathogens by
developing a protective zone around the seed in soil.
Seed treatments are grouped according to the purpose
1. Seed disinfestation: Disinfestation is the control of spores and other forms of disease
organisms on the surface of seed.
2. Seed disinfection: Disinfection is the elimination of a pathogen that has penetrated into
living cells of seed, infected it, and become established. The purpose of seed
disinfection is to eradicate seed-infecting pathogens from the seed coat, the embryo, or
both
3. Seed protection: The purpose of seed protection is to prevent seed rots and damping-off
caused by soil-inhabiting fungi. Seed protection is the application of a chemical to
protect seed from disease organisms in the soil. A systemic fungicide seed protectant
also may provide post-emergence protection to the crop, usually from foliage diseases,
for several weeks after plant emergence.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 2

3. History of seed treatment
Although seed treatment has been a widely accepted practice in the United States for only
40 years, the practice has been recognized as beneficial for hundreds of years. The earliest
reported use of seed treatment dates back to 60 A.D. when wine and crushed cypress leaves
were used to protect seed from storage insects. Scientists today have given credence to the
practice because hydrogen cyanide evolves under these conditions.
In the early 17th century, a shipwreck resulted in a load of grain being soaked with
seawater. Seed recovered from the ship produced a crop that contained significantly less
bunt (stinking smut) than adjacent fields planted with un-soaked seed. Although this
practice was described and recognized as beneficial at that time, it was not until 1750 that
the Frenchman Tillet proved scientifically the benefits of salt and lime to control common
bunt of wheat.
Seed treatment has since evolved into a more complex science. The advent of the organic
mercurials in the 1920s started a new era in seed treatment that has resulted in the multiple
contact and systemic fungicides now available to the seed treater. Although safety concerns
have led to the banning of mercurial compounds, the new contact and systemic fungicides
allow for a more precise matching of treatment to specific needs.
seeds
Diseases and pathogen commonly associated with seeds
Diseases:
(a) Seed rot-rotting of seed before germination.
(b) Damping-off and seedling blight--soft rot of stem tissues near ground level and water soaking
of seedling tissues.
(c) Seedling wilt--gray coloration starting at the leaf tips and extending rapidly to the whole leaf,
causing complete collapse of seedlings in 24 to 28 hours.
(d) Root rot—water soaking, browning and sloughing of rootless. (e) Loose and covered smut of
small grains.
Disease Organisms:
(a) Pythium sp, (b) Fusarium sp, (c) Diplodia sp, (d) Penicillium sp, (e) Helminthosporium sp, (f)
Ustilago (g) Rhizoctonia sp (h) Bipolaris sp. (i) Alternaria sp. and many more
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 3

4. Seeds commonly treated
Field crops
Corn, small grains or cereals (barley, oats, rye, wheat, and rice), sorghum, forage grasses,
millets, soybean, sugar cane, sugar beets, sunflowers, cotton, and flax all benefit from seed
treatment.
Vegetable and other seeds
Essentially all vegetable seeds benefits from seed treatment. Treated seed is available from a
number of vegetable seed supply houses. A wide range of garden and greenhouse flowering
plants as well as nursery and forest plants benefits from seed treatment.
Methods of seed treatment
A. Physical methods
B. Chemical methods
C. Biological method
A. Physical methods or procedures
1. Hot water treatment
Hot water seed treatment can be an important step in ensuring that seed is not a source of
pathogens causing diseases in your vegetable crops. Pathogens that are able to get inside seed are
especially difficult because a surface disinfectant won’t affect them. Only heat treatment can get
in to these pathogens. The temperature of water for treating seed varies from 118 to 125oF (48-
520C), depending on the crop, and the treatment period varies from 15 to 30 minutes. It is
important to use the appropriate protocol for each crop to control pathogens without damaging
the seed. While hot-water seed treatment can be done effectively on a stovetop, it is much better
to use a precision water bath and an accurate thermometer. If properly used, hot-water soaks will
kill most seed-borne fungi and bacteria without killing the seed. Seed lots of poor quality or lots
more than one year old may not germinate well after hot-water treatment. Therefore, a small
sample of each seed lot should be treated and tested for germination before the entire lot is
treated. The water temperature must be carefully controlled, since a slight reduction in
temperature may result in a failure to kill the fungi or bacteria, and a slight increase may result in
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 4

5. severe seed injury. It is generally best to purchase seed that has been hot water treated by a
commercial seed company. However, the following procedures should be strictly followed when
commercially treated seed is not available or desirable.
In Bangladesh, the “Vegetable Seeds Treating Plant” has been developed by IPM Lab. BAU,
Mymensingh. The device, made up of locally available materials works automatically controlling
temperature with time. The plant is designed to treat seeds of vegetables especially eggplant,
tomato, chillies, cucurbits, cauliflower, cabbage, radish etc using hot water.
Procedure of seed treatment by hot water using Vegetable Seeds Treating Plant
Seeds in a cotton fabric bag were soaked in normal water for 3-4 hrs. Fill the treatment
bag no more than half full and gently squeeze it during this soak to eliminate all air
pockets and to make sure all seeds are wetted
Two liters of water (below the red making) were poured
Then the plant was connected with electricity
The water in plant was stirred frequently for even distribution of heat after waiting 10
minutes to get the temperature 53°C
Then the seed (in bag) was dipped in hot water, and the bag was stirred
The seed bag was kept immersed in hot water for 15 minutes (at the recommended
temperatures (Table 1). The time and temperature of treatment must be exact)
.
Immediately after the required treatment time has elapsed, place the sacks in cold water
for a few minutes.
Spread the seeds out to dry. Apply a protective seed treatment and make seeds ready for
sowing
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 5

6. Precautions
1. Seed germination may be decreased at temperature above the deadline and pathogen
may not be killed at bellow temperature. This may happen due to mishandling of the
machine.
2. Seeds should be kept in loosely tied bag so that all seeds may come in touch with hot
water.
3. The machine should be kept away from the children.
2. Cold water treatment
Steps to be followed-
i. Seeds should be kept in a loose bag and loosely tied at the top of the bags.
ii. Seeds should be soaked for 30 minutes in normal water.
iii. Seeds should be stored in a air tight container for-
80 hours at 68°F/70 hours at 70°F/60 hours at 75°F /40 hours at 80°F /hours at 90°F
iv. After storage, the water should be drained off and then seeds should be spread and dried on
clean light floor and the seeds should be stored with normal moisture content (10 18%).The
grains are dried quickly to gain normal moisture content (10-18%). It is not permitted to
heat seed above 100°F during drying.
3. Anaerobic water treatment
The seeds are soaked in water and held under anaerobic conditions for a definite period of time
e.g. loose smut of barley was effectively controlled by soaking seeds in water at 24°C and at
28°C for 6 hours and then drained and stored in air-tight container for 42 hours with V2 of the
container filled with grain. The procedure reduces the hazard of injury to seed germination from
overheating.
4. Dry heat treatment
This has been little used, although different combinations of temperature have given promising
results against certain pathogens while attempts against some other fungal pathogens gave
negative results. e.g. Colletotrichum gossypii in cotton and Puccinia antirrhini in snapdragon
positive results were reported.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 6

7. Dry air treatment of tomato seed at 70°C for 3-4 days is partly effective against tobacco mosaic
virus (TMV) and lettuce seed infected with lettuce mosaic virus can be inactivated by treating
seeds at 55°C for 80-120 days.
5. Solar heat treatment (Solar energy method):
In countries with a hot climate like Bangladesh has its great use. Grain is presoaked in normal
water for 4-5 hours at room or in the shade and then drained the water and dried the seeds on
ground under sun for 4-6/8 hours. In our country drying of Aus paddy on concrete road or pucca
floor under the sun is a sort of seed treatment by solar heat. The procedure has proved effective
against loose smut of barley and wheat.
6. Aerated steam treatment
The principle is to treat dry seed in moving vapour by pressure flow. e.g. cabbage seed reported
to be treated at 56°C for 30 minutes to eliminate Alternaria brassicae .
B) Chemical methods of seed treatment
i. Steep treatment: The seed is soaked in fungicidal solution/suspension for a definite
period and then drained and dried.
ii. Sprinkle treatment: The seed is sprinkled with a fungicidal liquid solution or
suspension, left damp with this for a definite period of time and then dried.
iii. Dust treatment: Place the seed and fungicide (2 g/kg seed) in a closed container (Mason
jar or drum) and agitate vigorously for several minutes until the seed is uniformly coated
with dust.
iv. Slurry treatment: Add enough water to a wettable powdery formulation of the selected
fungicide to make a sloppy paste. Place the seed in the slurry and stir or swirl until the
seeds are thoroughly coated. Dry the seed before planting. Precaution: Remember that 1
to 3 ounces of seed protectant are sufficient to treat an entire bushel of seed. Do not
overdose.
v. Wet treatment: The seed is mixed with a relatively small amount of concentrated liquid
(about 100-300 ml/kg seed). There is no recovery of liquid after treatment, but drying is
necessary.
vi. Fumigation: The seed is treated in an air-tight container, for a definite period of time by
use of volatile material (a fungicide or a nematicide).
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 7

8. vii. Pelleting: Application of sticker prior to mixing the seed with a dust fungicide. Tween-20
may be used as sticker. The seed is coated, first with the sticker in dilute solution in such
as way that each seed becomes a pellet containing an outer zone of' protectant.
Some commonly used seed treatment fungicides
Captan
Captan is a broad-spectrum, largely protective fungicide registered for use on numerous field
crops, fruit and nut crops, vegetables, and ornamentals. It is a seed protectant that gives good
control of seed rots or decays and seedling blights (damping-off).
Carboxin
Carboxin is a protective contact-systemic fungicide. It is registered for use on small grains
(except rye), corn, sorghum, soybean, cotton, peanuts, beans, and certain ornamentals. It controls
the embryo borne loose smut fungi of wheat and barley; other seedborne and soilborne smuts;
and certain seed rotting and seedling blight fungi, such as Rhizoctonia solani, species of
Helminthosporium and Fusarium, and Verticillium wilt of annuals.
Mancozeb and Maneb
Mancozeb and maneb are broad-spectrum, largely protectant-contact fungicides. They are fairly
effective against seed externally contaminated with seedborne smut fungi (covered smuts of
small grains and forage grasses, loose smut of oats, semiloose or nigra smut of barley), and
surfaceborne Helminthosporium stripe of barley. They also are effective against many fungi that
cause seed rot and seedling blight (damping-off).
Metalaxyl
Metalaxyl is systemic fungicides specific for seed rot and damping-off fungi that are water
molds, such as Pythium and Phytophthora; downy mildews, such as Peronospora and
Pseudopernospora, and related fungi.
Pentachloronitrobenzene or PCNB
PCNB is a long-lasting seed, bulb, corm, and soil fungicide. It is effective on seed externally
contaminated with seedborne and soilborne smut fungi (covered smuts of small grains and forage
grasses, loose smut of oats, and semiloose or nigra smut of barley). It also gives some protection
against seed rots and seedling blights (damping-off) caused by Rhizoctonia; common scab and
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 8

9. scurf of potatoes; root and stem rot of beans; and bulb, corm, crown (stem), and root rots of
bulbous ornamentals.
Streptomycin
Streptomycin is a short residual, antibacterial antibiotic sold as a seed protectant to control
bacterial blights, including halo blight, of dry and garden beans; corn; bacterial soft rot or
blackleg of potatoes; and bacterial spot of pepper and tomato.
Tebuconazole
Tebuconazole is a systemic fungicide for control of specified diseases (especially smuts; early-
season Rhizoctonia root rot; early season Septoria disease complex; early season common root
rot; early-season Fusarium root rot; early-season suppression of powdery mildew; and early-
season suppression of wheat leaf rust, barley leaf rust, and oat crown rust) on wheat, barley, and
oats.
Thiabendazole or TBZ
TBZ is a systemic fungicide that controls seedborne and soilborne common or stinking smut and
dwarf bunt of wheat. TBZ can be used as an ornamental bulb and corm dip to control Fusarium
basal rot; Penicilliumblue mold; and other fungal crown, rhizome, root, and bulb rots. TBZ also
controls Fusarium (dry rot) of potato tubers in storage, and black rot, scurf, and root rot of sweet
potato. When combined with captan or maneb, TBZ controls wheat bunt, seedling blight, seed
decay, and root rot.
Thiram
Thiram is a seed protectant fungicide registered for use on essentially all field crops. It is widely
used on vegetable, grass, and flower seed as well as on bulbs, corms, and tubers to control
decays, seedling blights (damping-off), and crown rots. Thiram also is effective for seed
externally contaminated with seedborne or soilborne smut fungi (onion smut, covered smut, or
bunt of wheat, barley, and rye; nigra smut of barley; and covered kernel smut of sorghum); and
Helminthosporium strip of barley. Thiram is sold in combination with many fungicides as well
as with some insecticides. One formulation of thiram is registered for the treatment of pine and
other coniferous seeds to be planted directly in forest areas. Although thiram is an excellent
fungicide, human allergy problems have been reported.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 9

10. Important information
Captan is sold as Gustafson Captan 30DD, 300, 400, 400-D, and Captan 75 Seed
Protectant.
Carboxin is sold as Vitavax and Vitavax 34 and in combination with PCNB as Vitavax-
PCNB.
Chloroneb is sold as Chloroneb 65W.
Maneb is sold as Maneb 80.
Metalaxyl is sold as Apron Dry, Apron FL, and Apron 25W. It is also sold in
combination with PCNB as Apron-terrachlore.
Thiabendazole is sold as Mertect 340F.
Mancozeb is sold as Manzate 200, Dithane M-45, and Penncozeb.
PCNB is sold as Terraclor 10G and 75% WP Dust.
Streptomycin is sold as Agri-strep, Agrimycin 17, and Streptomycin 17.
Thiram is sold as Chipco Thiram 75, Gustafson Thiram-30 Fungicide, 50WP, and 42-S.
Some seed treating chemicals and their doses:
1. Thiram 75WP @ 0.25% (2.5 g/kg seed)
2. Captan 75 WP @ 0.25% (2.5 g/kg seed)
3. Carboxin @ 0.25-0.4% (2.5-4.0 g/kg seed)
4. Vitavax @ 0.25% (2.5g/kg seed)
5. Bavistin - 0.25% (2.Sg/kg seed)
6. Panoctine liquid to control internally seed-borne diseases 0.I%= 1 drop in
l Og of seeds 0.4% = 4 drop in 10g; of seeds
7. Benomyl and Homai @ 0.3% (3g/kg seed)
3) Biological method
Botanicals (i.e. Garlic and Allamanda tablet) and BAU-Biofungicide are the promising bio
agents used for the treatment of seeds. These are reported as efficient and eco-friendly means to
control the seed borne diseases.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 10

11. Do you know about BAU-Biofungicide?
BAU-Biofungicide is formulated from naturally occurring fungus, Trichoderma by growing on
an organic substrate (Agro-wastes) to protect crops from different diseases (root rot, foot rot,
wilt etc.) caused by different harmful fungi (Fusarium, Sclerotium, Rhizotonia, Pythium,
Phytophthora, Macrophomina, etc.). BAU Biofungicide protects seeds in the soil from large
number of soil borne as well as seed borne fungi that can attack the seeds before germination as
well as after germination. It can also be used for protecting crop plants from the attack of
nematode.
The benefits of using BAU- Biofungicide
There is no health risk of using BAU Biofungicide. The product can be manufactured
easily using locally available machinery and raw materials.
The product can be stored for 6 months at room temperature even in farmer’s house. It is
easy to handle, packaging, distribution and marketing.
The product is environmental friendly and improves soil quality for the betterment of
crop growth.
It can be used as seed treatment, soil treatment and foliar application
Its cost of production is extra-ordinarily low.
Seed treatment with BAU- Biofungicide
Seeds of different cereals, pulses and vegetable crops such as Sweet gourd, Snake gourd, Bitter
gourd, Bottle gourd, Ridge gourd, Tomato, Eggplant, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kalmi shak,
Amaranth, Raddish, Okra,Yard long bean, Indian spinach, Spinach etc. can effectively be
treated with BAU-Biofungicide.
Use and application
1. Seed treatment: 2.5-3.0% of seed weight.
2. Soil drenching: 2% in water
3. Foliar spray: 2% in water.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 11

12. Table. 1: Standard temperature and duration of hot water treatment of some
vegetables
Crop Water temperature (°F) Time (minutes)
Broccoli 122 20-25
Brussels Sprout 122 25
Cabbage 122 25
Carrot 122 15-20
Cauliflower 122 20
Coriander 127 30
Cucumber 122 20
Eggplant 122 25
Garlic 120 20
Lettuce 118 30
Mustard 122 15
Onion (sets) 115 60
Pepper 125 30
Spinach 122 25
Sweetpotato (roots) 115 65
(cuttings, sprouts) 120 10
Tomato 122 25
Turnip 122 20
Table 2. Seed Treatment, Materials, and Disease Control for Vegetable Crops
a
Crop Chemical & method Disease controlled, remarks
Asparagus bleach soak Bleach soak controls Fusarium wilt
Seed
Crowns captan D Mancozeb controls crown rots
mancozeb D
b
Bean captan D, S, PB Seed rot, damping-off, Pythium and
chloroneb S,PB Rhizoctonia root rot. Streptomycin is
etridiazole and partially effective in eliminating surface
c
PCNB D,S,PB contamination by the halo blight
metalaxyl S organism. PCNB can be used for better
PCNB D,S protection against Rhizoctonia.
streptomycin S Metalaxyl will provide optimal control
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 12

13. thiram D,S of Pythium.
Beet captan D,S Seed rot, damping-off, black rot
thiram D,S (seedling stage). Application of
Solubor may reduce damping-off if
boron is deficient.
Carrot hot water soak, followed Hot water soak controls seedborne
by thiram D,S bacterial blight. Thiram controls seed
rot and damping-off.
Corn captan D,S Most of these products control seed rot
(Pop and metalaxyl S and damping-off. Metalaxyl controls
a
sweet) thiram D,S, only Pythium.
carboxin S,PB
b
Crucifers hot water soak, Hot water soak controls seedborne
(cabbage, followed by black rot, blackleg, downy mildew,
broccoli, captan D,S anthracnose, and Alternaria leaf spot
brussels thiram D,S and blight. Fungicides control seed rot
sprouts, caulif- and damping-off.
flower,
collards, kale,
kohlrabi,
mustard,
radish, turnip)
Eggplant hot water soak, Hot water soak controls seedborne
followed by Phomopsis blight and Collectotrichum
captan, D,S fruit rot. Thiram controls seed rot and
thiram D,S damping-off.
Endive thiram D,S Seed rot, damping-off
Garlic PCNB D,S White rot
(cloves)
Okra metalaxyl S Seed rot, damping-off
thiram D,S
Onion thiram D,S, Seed rot, damping-off, smut.
pelleted with
methocel sticker
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 13

14. Pea captan D,S,PB Seed rot, damping-off. Give partial
etridiazole and control of Ascochyta and
PCNB M,PB Mycosphaerella blights.
metalaxyl S
PCNB M,D,S
thiram D,S
b
Pepper hot water soak or Soaks control seedborne anthracnose
bleach soak, and bacterial spot. Fungicides control
followed by seed rot and damping-off.
captan D,S
thiram D,S
-6-
Potatob captan D Fusarium or seed piece rots or decays
maneb D
mancozeb D, dip
thiophanate methyl
and fir bark, D
Blackleg (bacterial)
Streptomycin, D
Soak controls seedborne downy
Spinach hot water soak, mildew and
anthracnose. Fungicides control seed
followed by rot and
captan D,S damping-off.
thiram D,S
Sweet potato Botran dip Black rot, stem rot, scurf
Thiabendazole dip
b
Swiss chard captan D,S Seed rot, damping-off, leaf spot.
thiram D,S
Tomato hot water soak, Soak controls seedborne bacterial spot,
anthracnose, and Phoma rot.
followed by Fungicides
captan S, control seed rots and damping-off.
thiram D,S, or
mancozeb S
Soak controls seedborne tobacco
trisodium phosphate mosaic
soak, virus. Fungicides control seed rots and
followed by damping-off.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 14

15. captan S,
thiram D,S, or
mancozeb S
Soaks control seedborne tobacco
trisodium phosphate mosaic
and bleach soak, virus, anthracnose, and bacterial spot.
Fungicides control seed rots and
followed by damping-
captan S, off.
thiram D,S, or
mancozeb S
Seed rot, damping-off, seedborne
Vine crops captan D,S,PB Fusarium,
(cantaloupe, thiram D,S foot rot of squash, black rot.
cucumber,
pumpkin,
squash,
watermelon)
(Other melons) Seed rot, damping-off. captan D,S
a
D = Dust; S = Slurry; PB = Planter Box; M = Machine.
b
Obtain certified disease-free seed or seed grown in the semi-arid areas of the western United
c
States. Field, kidney, snap, and lima beans.
d
Sweet corn only
Table.3. Recommendation of seed treatment for different crops
S.No. Name of Pest/Disease Seed Treatment Remarks
Crop
Sugarcane Root rot, wilt Carbendazim (0.1%) 2 gm/kg seed For seed dressing
Trichoderma spp. 4-6 gm/kg. seed metal seed
1. dresser/earthern
pots or polythene
bags are used.
2. Rice Root rot disease Trichoderma 5-10 gm/kg seed (before
transplanting)
other insects/pests Chloropyriphos 3gm/kg seed. -do-
Bacterial shealth Pseudomonas flourescens 0.5% W.P. 10
blight gm/kg.
3. Chillies Anthracnose spp. Seed treatment with
Damping off Trichoderma viride 4g/kg, Carbandazim @
1g/100 gm seed. -do-
4. Soil borne infection Trichoderma viride @ 2 gm/kg. seed and
Pseudomonas
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 15

16. of fungal disease flourescens,@10gm/kg. Captan 75 WS @
1.5 to 2.5 gm a.i./litre for soil drenching.
Imidacloprid 70 WS @ 10-15 gm a.i./kg -do-
seed
Jassid, aphid, thrips
5. Pigeon pea Wilt, Trichoderma spp. @ 4 gm/kg. seed For seed dressing
Blight and Root rot metal seed
dresser/earthern
pots or polythene
bags are used.
6. Pea Root rot Seed treatment with
1. Bacillus subtilis
2. Pseudomonas fluorescens
Soil application @ 2.5 – 5 kg in 100kg
White rot FYM
or
-do-
1. Carbendazim or Captan2 gm/kg.
seed
Thiram+Carbendazim 2gm/kg seed
Carbendazim or Captan 2gm/kg seed
7. Bhendi Root knot nematode Paecilomyces -do-
lilacinus andPseudomonas fluorescens @
10 gm/kg as seed dresser.
8. Tomato Soil borne infection T. viride @ 2 gm/100gm seed. For seed dressing
of fungal disease Captan 75 WS @ 1.5 to 2.0 gm a.i./litre for metal seed
Early blight soil drenching. dresser/earthern
Damping off pots or polythene
bags are used.
Wilt
Pseudomonas fluorescens andV.
clamydosporium @ 10gm/kg as seed
dresser.
9. Coriander Wilt Trichoderma viride @ 4 gm./kg seed. -do-
10. Brinjal Bacterial wilt Pseudomonas fluorescens @ 10gm/kg. -do-
11. Leguminous Soil borne infection Trichoderma viride @ 2 gm/100gms. seed.
Vegetables
Carbofuran/Carbosulfan 3% (w/w) -do-
Nematode
12. Sunflower Seed rot Trichoderma viride @ 6 gm/kg seed.
Imidaclorprid 48FS @ 5-9 gm a.i. per kg.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 16

17. Jassids, Whitefly seed -do-
Imidacloprid 70WS @ 7 gm a.i. per kg.
seed
13. Wheat Termite Teat the seed before sowing with any one of
the following insecticides.
i) Chlorpyriphos @ 4 ml/kg seed or
Endosulfan @ 7ml / kg seeds
Thiram 75% WP
Bunt/False Carboxin 75 % WP
smut/loose Tebuconazole 2 DS @ 1.5 to 1.87 gm a.i.
smut/covered smut per kg seed.
T. viride 1.15 % WP @ 4 gm/kg.
14. Cruciferous Soil / Seed borne Seed treatment withTrichoderma viridi @ 2
vegetables diseases (Damping g / 100 g seeds
(Cabbage, off) Captan 75% WS @ 1.5 to 2.5 gm a.i./litre
Cauliflower, for soil drenching.
Broccoli, -do-
Knol-khol, Pseudomonas fluorescens andVerlicillium
radish) Root knot nematode clamydosporium @ 10gm/kg seed as seed
dresser
15. Gram Wilt and damping off Seed treatment withTrichoderma viridi 1%
WP @ 9 gm/kg seeds
Combination of Carbendazim with
carbosulfan @ 0.2% Carbendazim with
Thiram with carbosulfan @ 0.2%
Treat the seed withChlorpyriphos 20 EC @
15-30 ml a.i./kg seed.
16. Potato Soil and Tuber borne Seed treatment with MEMC 3% WS @
diseases 0.25% or boric acid 3% for 20 minuts
before storage.
17. Barley Loos smut Carboxin 75% WP
Covered smut Thiram 75% WP @ 1.5 to 1.87 gm a.i./kg
Leaf stripe seed.
Termite Treat the seed withChlorpyriphos @ 4
ml/kg seed.
18. Capsicum Root knot nematode Pseudomonas fluorescens 1% WP,
Paecilomyces lilacirius andVerticillium
chlamydosporium1% WP @ 10g/kg as seed
dresser.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 17

18. # Disclaimer
All information provided in this piece of lecture sheet is for academic purposes only and does not
constitute a legal contract between the author and any person or entity. Chemical related topics found on
these pages, should not be used for prescription purposes or be substituted for farmer’s advice. As with
any new or ongoing development, always consult your local extension officers before beginning any new
treatment. It is your responsibility to research the accuracy, completeness, and usefulness of all
information regarding seed health testing. The author is not liable for any outdated information contained
on these pages.
K. M. Golam Dastogeer, Lecturer, Department of Plant Pathology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202 Page 18