Background: Seed deterioration during storage is a major constraint in legume production, particularly under ambient conditions. Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is highly susceptible to loss of viability, vigour as well as increased pathogen and insect infestation. Developing innovative seed treatment combine chemical and organic agents may offer a sustainable solution to extend shelf life of seeds while reducing environmental risks. Methods: A 16 month storage experiment (April 2021-August 2022) was conducted using nine seed treatment combinations comprising fungicides, insecticides, bio agents, botanicals and domestic materials. Seeds of mungbean variety Sweta were stored under ambient laboratory conditions. Seed quality parameters such as germination (%), Seedling vigour Index I and II, disease infection (%) and insect infestation (%)were evaluated at bimonthly intervals. Data were analyzed using ANOVA in a completely randomized design (CRD) with F-statistics and treatment ´ time interactions. Result: Seed quality declined progressively across all treatments, with untreated control (T0) showing rapid deterioration. In contrast, T3 (Bavistin + cypermethrin + rhizobium + trichoderma + neem oil + camphor) consistently outperformed all the other treatments, maintaining germination at 70%, SVI I at 1522.76 and SVI II at 12.53 after 16 months, compared to significantly lower values recorded in the control (51.5%, 654.81 and 5.72, respectively), which could be attributed to synergistic effect of fungicide, insecticide and biological mechanisms acting across the storage period. T3 recorded lowest disease infection and insect infestation, keeping seeds healthy for up to 14 months, while control seeds fell below the Indian minimum seed certification standards after 6 months of storage. This integrated approach of combining organic and chemical seed treatments offer a practical pathway toward sustainable agriculture, balancing immediate chemical efficacy with long term environmental safety.
Shreya Singh, A. Jatav, Pranjal Singh et al.· Indian Journal of Agricultur...· 0 citations
The study was conducted in the Horticulture Experiment Field, Department of Horticulture, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, during the year 2026. The primary objective was to evaluate the influence of diverse growing media and plant growth regulators (PGRs), particularly Gibberellic Acid (GA₃) and Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA), on the germination behaviour and seedling development of papaya under nursery conditions. The experiment included nine treatments with different combinations of PGRs and media: soil alone (control), soil mixed with vermicompost, Perlite and cocopeat in various proportions, and treated with GA₃ or NAA at 50 ppm. The treatments were assessed for their impact on seed germination, imbibition period, speed of emergence, seedling vigour, survival percentage, and morphological growth attributes such as seedling height, number of leaves, leaf area, root number and length, stem girth, fresh biomass and shoot-to-root ratio. Several germination parameters were recorded, including imbibition period, speed of emergence, germination percentage, seedling vigour index, and survival percentage. Seedling growth parameters such as seedling height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem girth, number and length of roots, fresh weight of shoot and root, and shoot-to-root ratio were evaluated at 30 and 45 days after sowing (DAS). The results revealed significant differences among the treatments. Treatment T4 (NAA @ 50 ppm with soil + vermicompost + Perlite in equal proportions) exhibited the shortest imbibition period (9.00 days), the highest speed of emergence (92.63), and the highest germination percentage (73.33%). It also produced the most vigorous seedlings with a seedling vigour index of 795.67 and the highest survival percentage of 95.83%. NAA treatments, particularly T4, consistently outperformed other treatments in terms of early emergence and uniform germination, due to enhanced enzymatic activity and rapid mobilization of seed reserves. On the other hand, Treatment T8 (GA3 @ 50 ppm with the same media composition of soil, vermicompost and Perlite) was particularly effective in promoting vegetative growth and root development. It recorded the maximum seedling height (15.01 cm), number of leaves (9.40), leaf area (34.37 cm²), root length (12.50 cm), number of roots (21.87), fresh shoot weight (4.20 g), fresh root weight (0.92 g), and shoot:root ratio (4.55). This indicates that GA₃ plays a key role in cell division and elongation, particularly enhancing root biomass and overall seedling establishment. The control treatment (T9), which involved only soil and no growth regulator, consistently showed the lowest performance across all parameters, including germination percentage (51.67%), seedling vigour (331.55), and survival percentage (77.58%), confirming the inadequacy of unamended soil and absence of growth-promoting substances for nursery-level papaya production. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that the integrated use of PGRs and a balanced growing medium significantly enhances papaya seed germination and seedling quality. For nursery managers and papaya growers, the combination of NAA @ 50 ppm with the soil + vermicompost + Perlite media mix (T4) is recommended for achieving superior germination and uniformity, while GA3 @ 50 ppm with the same media (T8) is ideal for enhancing root development and seedling vigour. These findings can serve as a practical guideline for improving the efficiency and success rate of papaya seedling production under nursery conditions.
Chinki Kumari, S. Pandey, Himanshu Trivedi· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025-26 at the Horticultural Experiment Field, Department of Horticulture, School of Advanced Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, to evaluate the effects of integrated organic and inorganic nutrient management on selected fruit quality attributes of tomato cv. Kashi Aman. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with three replications and ten treatments comprising different combinations of farmyard manure, vermicompost, and recommended doses of inorganic fertilisers. The treatments included an absolute control, individual organic sources, the full recommended dose of fertiliser, and different integrated nutrient combinations. Fruit quality parameters, including total soluble solids, lycopene content, ascorbic acid content, and fruit pH, were recorded and statistically analysed. The results showed that integrated nutrient application influenced the quality attributes of tomato fruits. Among the treatments, T9, consisting of vermicompost at 3 t/ha, farmyard manure at 6.25 t/ha, and 25% of the recommended dose of fertiliser, recorded the highest total soluble solids (5.12 °Brix), lycopene content (2.31 mg/100 g), and ascorbic acid content (19.06 mg/100 g). The same treatment also recorded the lowest fruit pH (4.04). The absolute control recorded comparatively lower values for total soluble solids, lycopene content, and ascorbic acid content. These findings indicate that combining organic manures with a reduced level of inorganic fertiliser may improve selected quality attributes of tomato cv. Kashi Aman under the conditions of the present study.
Shivam Singh, Vinay Kumar, Himanshu Trivedi et al.· International Journal of Pla...· 0 citations
A field experiment was conducted during the Rabi season of 2025-2026 at the Horticulture Experimental Field, Department of Horticulture, School of Advanced Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India, to evaluate the effects of organic and inorganic nutrient sources on growth, yield and quality attributes of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Pusa Desi. The experiment was laid out in a randomised block design with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments included the recommended dose of inorganic fertilisers, organic nitrogen sources through farmyard manure, vermicompost and plant-based compost, and their combinations with phosphate-solubilising bacteria. Integrated nutrient application improved most growth and yield traits compared with sole organic nutrient sources. Among the treatments, T6, consisting of 75% NPK + 25% nitrogen through vermicompost + phosphate-solubilising bacteria at 25 ml/kg, recorded the highest plant height (34.91 cm), leaf length (32.25 cm), number of leaves per plant (15.11), shoot dry weight (16.13 g), shoot fresh weight (213.58 g), root length (24.42 cm), root diameter (3.77 cm), average root weight (113.19 g) and root yield (285.29 q/ha). Quality attributes varied among treatments. T7, consisting of 75% NPK + 25% nitrogen through plant-based compost + phosphate-solubilising bacteria at 25 ml/kg, recorded the highest total soluble solids (5.33 °Brix) and ascorbic acid content (15.58 mg/100 g). The findings indicate that integrated use of inorganic fertilisers, organic nutrient sources and phosphate-solubilising bacteria can improve radish growth, yield and selected quality parameters under the agro-climatic conditions of Kanpur.
