Assessing the Different Bio-priming Methods and Knowledge Dissemination through On Farm Trial in Salem District

Abstract

One of the most important pre sowing seed improvement techniques for managing biotic and abiotic challenges is seed bio-priming, which ensures uniform stand establishment under adverse conditions. "Bio-priming" seed treatment combines biological (inoculating seeds with protective organisms) and physiological (hydrating seeds) components of vigour improvement, disease management. Recently, it has been employed as an alternate technique for not only to eradicate numerous soil- and seed-borne diseases but also improves the field establishment and vigour. In the current study, an On-Farm Trial bhendi seeds were soaked with two biopriming treatments Viz., (i) 10% Pseudomonas fluorecens, (ii) 10% Trichoderma viridi, for 6 hours followed by shade drying and sown in farmers' fields during kharif, 2020. Untreated seeds served as the control. The findings showed that 10% Pseudomonas fluorescens outperformed than Trichoderma and untreated seed in terms of yield (172.5 q/ha), net return (Rs. 2,58,750/ha), and benefit-cost ratio (2.59), The 10% Trichoderma primed seeds, which was the next-best treatment, had high yields, net returns, and BCR values of 169.8q/ha, Rs. 2,54,700/ha, and 2.56 respectively. So, it was concluded that bioprimingof seeds with 10% Pseudomonas fluorescens for six hours increased the production of bhendi. The dissemination of extension activities like training and method demonstration increased the understanding of farmers about biopriming from 5.4 to 52.5 percent.