Abstract

Tomato seeds collected from farmer’s were treated with garlic tablet at concentration 1:3 w/v, 1:4 w/v, 1:5 w/v and 1:6 w/v for controlling seedborne fungal diseases. Seed health status of treated seeds was evaluated following blotter incubation method. Three different fungal pathogens viz., Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp. and Penicillium spp. were identified from seed samples by blotter incubation method. Garlic tablet at 1:3 w/v dose showed better performance in increasing seed germination and reducing prevalance of fungal pathogens over control treatment. The highest germination recorded was 71.25% at 1:3 w/v dose of garlic tablet which represents an increase of 11.25% over control. Germination percentage was increased 18.75% over control when treated seeds were sown in tray soil. Substantial importance in seed quality was noticed in reducing hard seed, damping off, blighted seedlings and tip over. In pot experiment, 1:3 w/v dose also performed best to yield the lowest percentage of hard seed, damping off, blighted seedlings, tip over and seedlings with highest seed germination.

Key words: Garlic, tomato, seed treatment, germination, seedborne pathogens, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium.