J. Env. Bio-Sci., 2015: Vol.

29 (2):311-313
(311) ISSN 0973-6913 (Print), ISSN 0976-3384 (On Line)

IMPACT OF FUNGICIDE ON SEED QUALITY PARAMETERS IN TRITICUM AESTIVUM

(L.) CV.VL - 365
Bhim Jyoti1, Arun Bhatt2 and Arvind Shukla2
1
Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Forestry, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand 249199, India.
2
Department of Genetic and Plant Breeding, College of Forestry, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand 249199, India.
[Corresponding author E-mail1:bhimjyoti2210@gmail.com]

Received: 06-07-2015 Accepted: 14-08-2015

In modern agriculture practices, fungicides are most commonly used for protection of seeds from various seed borne diseases.
A fungicide is a group of pesticide that controls fungal disease by either inhibiting or killing the fungus that causes the disease. In
this experiment, different concentration of commonly used fungicide, Carbendazim was used to show the effect on seed quality
parameters viz. germination percentage, seedling length (cm), vigor index, fresh weight, and seedling dry weight of wheat
cultivar VL-365. Result revealed that all concentrations of fungicide were effective for the enhancement of germination percentage,
seedling length, vigour index, fresh weight and decrease in dry weight. Maximum increase in germination percentage (22%)
and vigor index (58.36%) was observed at 2000mg/l concentration of fungicide, whereas, more increase of shoot length (48.68%)
was observed at 1500mg/l concentration of fungicide. Result also revealed that maximum root growth (30.67%) and fresh weight
(73.62%) at 2500mg/l concentration of Carbendazim, respectively. From this study it was suggested that 1500, 2000 and 2000mg/l
concentrations were more effective for growth of wheat. Therefore, by treating wheat seed before sowing crop does not attack by
seed borne fungi farmers and breeders would obtain satisfied yield.

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is the most important crop in
the world. European Union (EU) is the largest wheat producer
country. China is the leading wheat producer followed by India
and Russia. India's share in global wheat production is 13.1
percent in the year 2013-14. This crop provides 20% of the
energy in human food1-2.So to show the importance of wheat
crop, it is essential to protect it from fungi that attack seedling
growth resulting production of wheat was ultimately reduced
every year.
Treatment of seeds with systemic fungicide is a
conventional method used for the control of seed borne
infection in intensive wheat production. Seed treatment
with a proper formulation affects the initial development of
plants which, in turn, will influence later stages of growth
and development and finally yield levels3-4.Seed treatment
is a biological, chemical, mechanical or physical process
designated to mitigate externally or internally seed or soil borne
microorganisms, resulting in the emergence of a healthy
seedling and subsequently a healthy plant. Seed treatment
promote seedling establishment that enhance yield, improve
quality and to avoid further spread of pathogens. Fungicide
carbendazim is an active metabolite of benomyl and have
properties similar to benomyl. This fungicide binds on β -
tubulin in microtubules inhibiting their proliferation and
NAAS Rating (2016)-4.20
suppressing their dynamic instability 5.Trade name of
carbendazim is bavistin. It is broad spectrum fungicide therefore
is applied to control wide range of fungal diseases. Germination
of seed and early seedling growth are considered the most
critical phases for establishment of any species of plant6.
Germination test determine the planting value of seed. Seed
yield of any crop can be improved by treating the seed with
fungicide before sowing.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different
concentration commonly used Carbendazim on first count of
germination, percent germination, root length, shoot length,
fresh weight, seedling dry weight and vigour index-I on wheat
cultivar-365.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Wheat cultivar and fungicide were taken from Department of
Genetic and Plant Breeding and Pathology, College of
Forestry, Ranichauri. In present study, six different
concentrations of carbendazim fungicide 500, 1000, 1500, 2000
and 2500 and 3000 mg/l were used for the treatment of wheat
cultivar. Before treatment, wheat seeds were surface sterilized
with 0.1% HgCl2 for 5 min to remove dust that adhered on
surface, then these seeds were washed thoroughly with distill.
water. After that 50 seed in four replication were planted in
 IMPACT OF FUNGICIDE ON SEED QUALITY PARAMETERS (312)

Table-1.Analysis of variance of different seed quality parameters of wheat cultivar VL-365.

Table-2. Mean value of first count, germination percentage, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight
and seed vigour index-I of wheat cultivar VL-365 at different concentration of carbendzim.

petriplates. At the start of the experiment 4 ml of respective
concentration was added to moisten filter paper in each
petri plates and then every day 5ml of respective
concentration was added for consecutive 6 days. Three sets
in each concentration were maintained along with the control
for comparison. On 4th day of germination first count was taken
to determine the speed of germination.
Germination percentage was estimated by using given
formula7. Seedling fresh and dry weight, 10 randomly selected
seedling were weighed with the help of electronic balance,
then these seeds were kept in an oven at 100 0C for 24 hour
for estimation of seedling dry weight, Vigour index was
calculated using the prescribed formula8.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Analysis of variance showed significant differences for seed
quality parameters viz first count, standard germination,
seedling length, seedling dry weight and seed vigour index-I
(Table-1). The mean value of first day count, germination %,
root length, shoot length, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry
weight and vigour index-I of wheat cultivar showed variation for
different concentration of carbendazim fungicide (Table-2)
First count germination percentage in control was 64% and at
500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000mg/l concentration of
fungicide were 65.50, 71.75, 82.00, 84.00, 76.50 and 72.50%,
respectively. Highest increase in germination percentage
(20.0%) was observed at 2000 mg/l concentration of fungicide.
Germination percentage in control was 64% and at 500, 1000,
1500, 2000, 2500, 3000mg/l concentration of fungicide were
71.50, 82.00, 86.00, 84.00, 79.50 and 72.50%, respectively.
Highest increase in germination percentage was observed at
1500 mg/l (22.0%) concentration of fungicide. Fungicide
carbendazim highly influenced all the studied growth
parameters of wheat variety. Germination percentage of
fungicide treated seed gets increased with increase in
concentration of fungicide germination was stimulated by
thiamethoxam in soybean, pea and corn9-10.
Root length of untreated wheat cultivar was 12.26cm, whereas,
at 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 2500 and 3000mg/l were 12.28 12.41,
13.22, 14.18, 16.02 and 13.75 cm respectively. Maximum percent
increase root length (30.67%) was observed at 2500mg/l
concentration of fungicide over the control. Results were in
agreement with the work done by earlier workers11-12.
(313) JYOTI, BHATT , SHUKLA AND BALI

Shoot length of untreated wheat cultivar was observed 9.02 should be treated with 1500, 2000, and 2500mg/l concentration
cm and range of shoot length at 500, 1000, 1500, 2000 and of carbendzium which will prevent the attack of fungi
2500, 3000mg/l concentrations of fungicide was 10.21 to responsible for the damage of crop growth and ultimately
13.41cm. The highest increase of shoot length was 48.68% at reduces the seed yield.
1500 mg/l concentration of fungicide.
REFERENCES
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CONCLUSION
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that enhance germination and seedling growth of wheat were

1500, 2000 and 2500 mg/l. So from this study it can be
suggested to farmers that before seed sowing, seeds of wheat