Biopriming: A novel seed treatment options to manage the seed-borne fungal infection of tomato

Abstract

Tomato is the most popular vegetable crop grown in the world. Crop is severely affecting many of seed-borne fungal infection. Those seed-borne fungal infections can be managed by seed treatment with bio-control agents along with priming agents (bio-priming).Among four priming agents with the selected two bio agents were tested for their efficacy in overcoming seed borne fungal infections and seed quality parameters of tomato under in vitro by using rolled towel method. Seed treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescens + jelly were found most effective compared to Pseudomonas fluorescens alone with respect per cent seed germination, seed infection and vigour index it indicating the role of jelly in enhancing efficacy of P. fluorescens, jelly being hydrophobic polymer, can imbibe water and provides suitable conditions for the multiplication of bio agent P. fluorescens.