Seed treatments

Gliricidia bark extract

(Stoll; p.125)

How to prepare?

1. Chop 1 kg of Gliricidia bark.
2. Add enough water.
3. Soak 13 kg of corn seeds for 12-14 hours.
4. Discard seeds that float.
5. Immediately sow the seeds in a well prepared field.

Pest controlled: Seedborne pathogens on corn

Sweetflag rhizome extract

(Sridhar, et. al; p. 40)

How to prepare?

1. Pound or grind dried sweetflag rhizome.
2. Take 10 g sweetflag rhizome powder and add 60 ml of water.
3. Mix properly.
4. Strain.
5. Soak the seeds into the filtrate for 30 minutes before sowing.
6. Discard seeds that float.
7. Sow seeds on well prepared soil.

Pests controlled: Seedborne pathogens

Sweetflag rhizome and cow's urine extract

(Sridhar, et. al; p. 40)

How to prepare?

1. Boil 1 l of water and let it cool.
2. Mix 50 ml of cow's urine, 50 ml of sweetflag powder extract, and 1 l of water.
3. Add the seeds into the filtrate.
4. Soak seeds for 15 minutes before sowing.

Pest controlled: Seedborne pathogens

Vinegar solution

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 4 cups of water
2. Place the seeds on a small cotton bag
3. Dip the bag into the vinegar and water solution
4. Dry dipped seeds on old newspapers and make sure that seeds are completely dry before storing

Bleach solution

1. Mix 1 part of bleach to 9 parts of water
2. Place the seeds on a small cotton bag
3. Dip the bag into the bleach solution
4. Dry dipped seeds on old newspapers and make sure that seeds are completely dry before storing

Hot water treatment

Hot water treatment on seeds helps reduce the seedborne pathogens that cause diseases on plants. However, the specified temperature and time interval should be strictly followed in order to keep the effectiveness of the seeds to germinate. Use a good thermometer or better ask for assistance from qualified personnel from your local agriculturist office.

Procedure

1. In a large pot put plenty of water.
2. Heat the water following the required temperature.
3. Place seeds in loose cotton bag and submerge it in water. Follow strictly the recommended temperature and the time interval required. It is important that the water is maintained at a uniform temperature throughout the container.
4. Constantly stir the water while soaking the bag.
5. Suspend the bag- do not let it touch the bottom of the pot.
6. Remove the bag and emerge it in cold water to quickly stop the heating.
7. Spread the seeds to cool and dry.
8. Do not store treated seeds. Sow them on well-prepared seedbeds.

Heat treatment recommendations

1. Brussels sprout, cabbage, eggplant, tomato, spinach - 122°F/50°C: 25 minutes (Nesmith,1994)
2. Broccoli, cauliflower, Chinese cabbage, cucumber, carrot, collards, kale, kohlrabi, turnips - 122°F/50°C: 20 minutes (Nesmith,1994)
3. Pepper - 125°F/51.6°C: 30 minutes (Nesmith,1994)
4. Tomato - 125°F/51.6°C: 30 minutes (CABI, 2004)
5. Eggplant - 122°F/50°C: 30 minutes (Ellis; Bradley, 1996 p.423)
6. Carrots - 118°F/47.7°C: 20 minutes (Ellis; Bradley, 1996 p.423)

External links

• Kaufman, E. Organic seed treatment notes. http://www.growseed.org/seedtreatments.html
• Boucher, T.; Hazzard, R.; Wick, R. Preventing bacterial diseases of vegetables with hot-water seed treatment. IPM, University of Connecticut. http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/veg/htms/blsponpeps.htm
• University of Connecticut. Preventing diseases of vegetables with hot water seed treatment. http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/homegrnd/htms/54sedtrt.htm

References

• Ellis, B.; Bradley, F. (1996): The organic gardener's handbook of natural insect and disease control. Rodale Press. Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
• Sridhar, S.; Arumugasamy, S.; Saraswathy, H.; Vijayalakshmi, K. (2002): Organic vegetable gardening. Center for Indian Knowledge Systems. Chennai.
• Stoll, G. (2000): Natural Crop Protection in the Tropics Margraf Verlag. Weikersheim.