Biopriming of Chickpea Seeds with Biocontrol Agents for Enhanced Seedling Vigour and Reduced Seed Borne Diseases

Chickpea seed were bioprimed with vermiculite and later with biocontrol agents for their efficacy on seed borne infections and seedling vigour of the plant. Among the seven treatments tested, the treatment P. fluorescens @ 0.8 % + T. harzianum@ 0.8 % + Vermiculite shown the least seed infection of 13.00 per cent, highest seed germination of 91.00 per cent and vigour index of 1753.13 which was statistically superior over other treatments The difference in results was observed may be due to the presence of vermiculite which holds the moisture and provides when seed needs and also biocontrol agent may multiply substantially on seed during biopriming reducing the seed borne infections.