Effect of different chemical seed sterilizing agents on Aspergillus flavus

Abstract

Seven different chemicals viz., sodium hypo chloride, sodium bicarbonate, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, boric acid, propionic acid and neem leaf extract were used as seed sterilizing agents to study their effect on Aspergillus flavus. The seeds of groundnut variety GG-20 (susceptible) were treated with different chemicals and inoculated with spore suspension of A. flavus were observed for per cent seed infection, per cent seed germination and per cent mortality of germinated seeds. Neem leaf extracts and propionic acid were considered as better chemical seed sterilizing agents for reduction of seed infection. These also resulted in higher seed germination and less mortality of germinated seeds.