Seed infusion with liquid microbial consortia for improving germination and vigour in blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper] Raja K.1,*, Sivasubramaniam K.2, Anandham R.2 Vegetable Research Station, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Palur-607 102, Tamil Nadu, India 1Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Aduthurai-612 101, Tamil Nadu, India 2Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai-625 104, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding author's e-mail: kraja_sst@rediffmail.com
Online published on 27 September, 2019. Abstract Blackgram seeds soaked in the liquid cultures viz., Rhizobium @ 1: 50 dilution for 3 h or phosphobacteria @ 1: 50 dilution for 4 h or PPFM @ 1: 100 dilution for 3 h have showed the increased germination and vigour. Among the cultures, PPFM performed better with the population of 3 × 104 cfu g−1 of seed during three months storage. Also, increased seed vigour was found in the seed infusion treatment with microbial consortia viz., Rhizobium @1: 50 dilution + PPFM @1: 100 dilution (1: 1) for 3 h with the populations of 3 × 104 and 2 × 104 cfu g−1 of seed respectively. In addition, the seed infusion with PPFM liquid culture @ 1: 100 dilution for 3 h followed by polymer coating @ 5 ml kg−1 or carbendazim treatment @ 2 g kg−1 or polymer coating @ 5 ml kg−1 + carbendazim treatment @ 2 g kg−1 of seed have recorded the increased germination and vigour. However, the reduction in bioinoculants population was noticed when the seeds treated with carbendazim fungicide. Nevertheless, the minimum population of 1 × 104 cfu g−1 of seed was recorded in the fungicide treated seeds. Top Keywords Blackgram, Liquid culture, Phosphobacteria, PPFM, Rhizobium, Seed germination, Vigour. Top |