Evaluation of seed biopriming with biocontrol agents and biopesticides spraying on pests and its effect on seed yield and quality in chilli

Abstract

The field experiment was conducted to find out the effect of seed biopriming with biocontrol agents using Trichoderma viride 60% for 9h and Pseudomonas fluorescens 60% for 12 h along with nonprimed seed, which constituted the main plot treatments in Field No. 37E of TNAU, Coimbatore exclusively maintained for organic cultivation situated in North Western agro-climatic zone of Tamil Nadu during Kharif 2013 and Rabi 2013. Biopesticide sprays of Panchakavya 3%, dashparni extract 10%, neemastra 10%, agneyastra 3%, brahmastra 5%, cow’s urine 5%, neem seed kernel extract 5% and neem oil 1% along with imidacloprid 0.3 ml/l formed the subplot treatments. For organic seed production, the results revealed that, seed biopriming with P. fluorescens 60% for 12 h and neem seed kernel extract 5% sprays were highly effective in both the seasons.