Seed Treatment: New concepts and new generation Fungicides

Abstract

Seed treatment with fungicides to combat the seed-borne fungal pathogens is one of the major strategies of farmers, both in the global and national scenario. The reason being, it is always wiser, easier and cheaper to eliminate the pathogen from a few grams/kilogram of seeds rather than to attempt spraying or dusting an entire field of standing crop. Seed treating fungicides may be used either for seed disinfestation or seed disinfection or seed protection. Fungicides meant for seed treatment are broadly categorised as those which are already registered and commercialised in India and those which are at development stages at different research institutions