Influence of Organic Seaweed Pelleting on Seed Quality Parameters of Onion Seeds

Aim: Small and irregular seed shapes make precision sowing difficult. Seed pelleting, which helps to make seed handling easier during sowing, is converting such seeds into bold, spherical shapes with a smooth surface. Seaweeds are a rich source of nutrients that promote growth, such as IAA, kinetin, zeatin, and gibberellins; auxins and cytokinins; metabolic enhancers; macro and micro elements; amino acids; and vitamins. Their use in crop plants has been shown to have positive effects, including early seed germination and establishment, improved crop performance and yield, increased resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, and increased seed shelf life (Bluden).

Study Design: The experiment was undertaken with three replications in a completely randomized block design. Eight treatmental combinations were used in this study. Statistical analysis was carried out by AGRES software. The Critical Differences (CD) was calculated at 5 per cent probability level.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agriculture College and Research Institute, TNAU, Madurai, during the period of December 2020 and November 2021.

Methodology: Organic seaweed pellet combinations can be successfully implemented to provide improved field emergence, crop establishment and production. Seeds were pelleted with different mixtures of Sargassum sp., Kappaphycus sp., Bacillus subtilis and Talc powder.

Results: The results exposed that between the treatments seed pelleting with combination of T7- Sargassum sp + Kappaphycus sp + Bacillus subtilis+ Talc powder was found to be more efficient in comparison with other combinations.

Conclusion: Pelleting with, Kappaphycus sp, Bacillus subtilis and Talc powder was found to be better in all aspects of seed quality and biochemical parameters.