Loading...
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola
Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola was established on 20th October, 1969 with its head-quarter at Akola. This Agricultural University was named after the illustrious son of Vidarbha Dr. Panjabrao (alias Bhausaheb) Deshmukh, who was the Minister for Agriculture,Govt. of India. The jurisdiction of this university is spread over the eleven districts of Vidarbha. According to the University Act 1983 (of the Government of Maharashtra), the University is entrusted with the responsibility of agricultural education, research and extension education alongwith breeder and foundation seed programme.
The University has its main campus at Akola. The instructional programmes at main campus are spread over in 5 Colleges namely, College of Agriculture, College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, College of Forestry, College of Horticulture and Post Graduate Institute. At this campus 4 degree programmes namely B.Sc.(Agri.) B.Sc. (Hort.), B.Sc. (Forestry) and B.Tech. (Ag. Engg.) , two Master’s Degree Programmes viz. M.Sc.(Agri.) and M.Tech. (Agri.Engg.) and Doctoral Degree Programmes in the faculties of Agriculture and Agril. Engineering are offered.
The University has its sub-campus at Nagpur with constituent College, College of Agriculture which offers B.Sc.(Agri.) and M.Sc.(Agri.) degree programmes. The Nagpur Campus is accomplished with a garden, surrounded by its natural beauty and a well established Zoo which attract the general public and visitors to the city. A separate botanic Garden is being maintained on 22 hectares with a green house for the benefit of research workers.
In addition there are 2 affiliated grant-in-aid colleges and 14 private non-grant-in-aid colleges under the umbrella of this University
A Central Research Station is situated at the main Campus which caters to the need of research projects undertaken by Crop Scientists of the principle crops of the region are Cotton, Sorghum, Oilseeds and Pulses.
Browse
Search Results
ThesisItem Open Access Title: SEED BORNE FUNGI OF CHILLI AND THEIR CONTROL(Publisher : Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2022-09-28) Authors: DESHPANDE, KAUSTUBH DESHPANDE.; Khodke, Dr. S. W.Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) is the important commercial vegetable crop of India belongs to solanceae family. Pepper it is an excellent source of vitamin A,C and E. Chilli seeds harbours many fungal pathogens which are seed transmitted often reduce the germination ability and substantially reduce the productive capacity. Hence assessment and management of seed borne fungi of chilli is important. Chilli seed samples of five different varieties viz., Phule Jyoti, Pusa Jwala, Hirkani, Jayanti and G-4 were collected from Chilli Research Unit, Dr.PDKV,Akola and Quality Control Laboratory of MSSC, Akola. Seed samples for detection of seed borne fungi were tested by standard blotter paper method (ISTA, 1996). The seed samples of chilli showed association of seven fungi belonging to five genera viz., Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium semitectum, Fusarium spp, Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum capsici, Rhizopus spp. However, among all other seed borne fungi Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Fusarium spp. were observed as pre dominant fungi in chilli. Fungicides were tested against seed born fungi of chilli in vitro by employing poisoned food technique. Thiram (0.3%) and Carboxin + Thiram (0.3%) were found most effective fungicides recorded 100 % mycelial growth inhibition of all associated seed borne fungi followed by Thiram + Carbendazim (0.3%) and Thiram + Captan (0.3%). Bioagents were also tested against seed borne fungi of chilli employing dual culture technique. The fungal bioagent Tricoderma harzianum was found most effective against seed borne fungi tested followed by Trichoderma asperellum. In respect of bacterial bioagents Pseudomonas fluorescence was found most effective followed by Bacillus subtilisThesisItem Open Access Title: BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS OF COPPER NANOPARTICLES AND IT’S ANTIFUNGAL POTENTIAL AGAINST Colletotrichum gloeosporioides(Publisher : Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2022-12-22) Authors: C., MALSAWMTLUANGA.; Advisor: Ingle, Dr. Y. V.Abstract: The present investigation entitled “Biogenic synthesis of copper nanoparticles and it’s antifungal potential against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides” was undertaken to synthesize the copper nanoparticles biogenically and to investigate the inhibitory potential of CuNPs against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Twig blight disease with a typical symptom was collected from AICRP on Fruits mandarin orchard. The pathogen was isolated using the tissue isolation method and purified using the hyphal tip method. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was identified as the pathogen based on cultural, morphological, symptomology, microscopic observations and the pathogenicity test. In vitro bio-efficacy of Trichoderma asperellum and Pseudomonas fluorescens against C. gloeosporioides were tested by dual culture technique. Both the bio-agents inhibited the pathogen's mycelial growth. P. fluorescens was found to be less effective, inhibiting growth by 59.33%, compared to T. asperellum, which inhibited mycelial growth by 69.33%. The copper Nanoparticles were synthesized by using bacterial extract of Pseudomonas fluorescens and fungal extract of Trichoderma asperellum. The presence of copper nanoparticles were indicated by the formation of a reddish brown precipitate after the addition of CuSO4 and L-ascorbic acid. UV-visible spectrophotometer, FTIR, Zeta potential and particle size analysis were used to further characterise the synthesised CuNPs. The inhibitory potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma asperellum CuNPs were tested by using the poison food technique. Both the bio-agents CuNPs show complete (100%) inhibition at 120 ppm. According to the findings, with increase in the concentration of CuNPs, the antimicrobial activity also increases.ThesisItem Open Access MARKER ASSISTED SELECTION FOR MAPPING POPULATION OF F5 GENERATION AGAINST CHICKPEA WILT(Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2020-12-18) THAKARE, SIRISHA VIJAYRAO.; Mane, Dr. S. S.Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important legume crop called as “poor man’s meat” and “rich man’s vegetable”. It is a self pollinating, diploid (2n = 16) with small genome size of about 738 Mbp. The crop is vulnerable to many diseases viz. Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta blight etc. Fusarium wilt of chickpea is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri. The pathogen is soil borne and present internally in seed. It was carried in hilum region of seed. Fusarium wilt of chickpea produces three types of asexual spores i.e. Microconidias, Macroconidias and Chlamydospores. The microconidias (2.5–4.5 μm × 5–11 μm) are oval or cylindrical, straight or curved. Macroconidias (3.5–4.5 μm × 25–65 μm) are produced more sparsely than microconidias and usually they are three to five septate or fusoid. Chlamydospores are thick walled vegetative cell formed singly, in pairs or in chains. Characteristic symptom of wilted plant is the stem of plant when split opened the blockage of xylem vessels can be seen. Yield losses vary between 10% to 100% depending on the varietal susceptibility and agroclimatic conditions. Now a days, application of chemical pesticides is limited because of their environmental pollutions and health hazard. Therefore, disease can be managed by the use of disease resistant varieties. Hence, the present investigation was carried out to select the resistant of amongst the mapping population through marker assisted selection. The investigation was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Plant Pathology, PGI, Dr. PDKV, Akola. The 40 chickpea genotypes were selected for screening from four mapping population of different crosses JG 62 (susceptible) X JAKI 9218 (resistant), PG 04305 (resistant) X JG 62 (susceptible), PG 07101 (resistant) X JG 62 (susceptible) and JG 62 (susceptible) X AKG 1001 (resistant). 10 genotypes from each population were selected. Marker assisted characterization of 40 chickpea genotypes differing for Fusarium wilt reaction was carried out using two molecular markers reported by earlier workers linked to disease resistant/susceptibility. In the present study, Allele Specific Associated Primer (ASAP) marker (namely, CS-27F/R700) linked to susceptibility and two Sequence Tagged Microsatellite site (STMS) marker (TA-59258 and TA-96275) linked to resistance allele were validated. The molecular markers ASAP (CS27F/R700), and STMS (TA59258 and TA96275) amplified against 40 genotypes of chickpea F5 generation. The results indicate that ASAP (CS 27F/CS 27R) marker linked to susceptibility alleles and susceptibility is dominant over resistance. ASAP marker, (CS27F/R) screened on the 40 genotypes and gave no amplified product of 700 bp. in all 40 genotypes of cross I (JG 62 X JAKI 9218), in cross VI (PG 04305 X JG 62), in cross VII (PG 07101 X JG 62) and in cross VIII (JG 62 X AKG 1001). The absence of marker indicated resistance (h1h1h2h2) in all 40 genotypes. STMS marker, TA-59 and TA-96 linked to resistance and produce amplification in resistant genotypes. The amplification sizes of TA-59 and TA-96 as characterized in cicer sp. were 258 and 275 bp, respectively. Amplification was observed in all 40 genotype of cross I (JG 62 X JAKI 9218), in cross VI (PG 04305 X JG 62), in cross VII (PG 07101 X JG 62) and in cross VIII (JG 62 X AKG 1001). Presence of marker indicated resistance in all 40 genotypes.ThesisItem Open Access BIOCONTROL EFFICACY OF Trichoderma MUTANTS AGAINST Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri CAUSING CHICKPEA WILT.(Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2021-03-05) TEKALE, SHUBHAM SAHEBRAO.; Ingle, Dr. S. T.Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), one of the major pulses cultivated and consumed in India, is also known as Bengal gram. Chickpea crop suffers from a number of seed borne and soil borne diseases. Among these wilts caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri reported to be the most widespread disease and causes considerable yield losses. Considering increasing intensity and losses caused due to this disease, studies were carried out to assess the biocontrol efficacy of Trichoderma mutants against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri causing chick pea wilt. Diseased samples showing typical symptoms were collected from field and resorted for isolation. In the pathogenicity test, F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceri found pathogenic to chickpea causing wilt disease. It showed yellowing, drooping and drying of leaves followed by drying of branches or entire plant. Trichoderma is a promising antagonistic organism for the biological control of plant pathogenic fungi. While the use of Trichoderma as bio-control agent against target pathogens, it is important to consider its efficiency. The present investigation aimed to use Trichoderma asperellum mutants prepared by inducing mutagenesis through Gamma ray’s technique for genetic improvement of the Trichoderma asperellum to enhance its biocontrol abilities against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri. The pure culture of Trichoderma asperellum mutants were obtained from Department of Plant Pathology and code was given to each mutant for maintaining their identity. Then antagonistic potential of Trichoderma asperellum mutants were tested against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri by dual culture technique. Among the mutants, TaMG-3 (T3) recorded highest growth inhibition i.e., 72.85% which was at par with TaMG-7 (T7) and TaMG-6 (T6) i.e., 72.47% and 70.78% respectively. Mother culture TaMC (T11) recorded 62.17% growth inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri. The mutants were assayed for estimation of chitinase enzyme and the mutants TaMG-3 (T3) found to possess highest chitinase enzyme units/mg of protein i.e., 0.68. TaMG-4 (T4) and TaMG-7 (T7) were the next best and at par mutants which recorded 0.67 chitinase enzyme units/mg of protein respectively. Mother culture TaMC (T11) contained only 0.40 chitinase enzyme units/mg of protein. Mutants showed maximum efficacy in dual culture and the highest chitinase containing mutants were also evaluated against chick pea wilt in pot culture. The percent wilt incidence and Propagule density of pathogen was also recorded at 30, 45 and 60DAS. Initial Propagule density per gram of soil was also recorded. Among the Trichoderma asperellum mutants, T1 (TaMG-3) was found most effective for controlling chickpea wilt caused Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri at 30, 45 and 60 DAS. Propagule density of pathogen were drastically reduced in all treatments however T1 (TaMG-3) was also found effective for reducing the propagule density of pathogen at 30, 45 and 60 DAS.ThesisItem Open Access ANTIFUNGAL AND ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF Trichoderma spp. AGAINST SOIL BORNE PLANT PATHOGEN.(Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2021-03-05) SHIRKE, MANGESH ABASAHEB.; Zope, Dr. A. V.The present investigation entitled “Antifungal and enzymatic activity of Trichoderma spp. against soil borne plant pathogen” was undertaken to assess the bio-efficacy against predominant soilborne fungal pathogens viz., Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotium rolfsii and Rhizoctonia bataticola which causes serious plant diseases such as wilts, collar rots, root rots due to that heavy crop losses occurs under sick soil condition. Managing these diseases with chemicals is expensive, difficult and even eco-hazardous. Therefore, use of biological control agents is an alternative to combat these diseases. Amongst many biocontrol agents, Trichoderma is one of them species have been reported to be inhibitory to many soils borne fungal pathogens. Procurement of known pure culture of Trichoderma spp. i.e (T. harzianum, T. asperellum, T. ressei, T. hamatum, T. koningii and T. longibrachiatum.) and major soil borne pathogen (Rhizoctonia bataticola, Fusarium udum and Sclerotium rolfsii) from Department of Plant Pathology, PGI, Dr. PDKV, Akola. Morphological and cultural characteristics i.e., colony colour, colony growth, pigmentation, conidial shape and size and phialides shape were observed for each species. All Trichoderma spp. under study grew well and formed conidia within 4 days on PDA medium. Initially colony colour was whitish green later it was turned to olive green. Creamy to light yellow pigmentation was observed in almost species. Conidia were globose to sub globuse, phialides shape was ampuliform to cylindrical. Highest mycelial growth recorded by T. harzanium and it was followed by T. asperellum, T. longibrachiatum, T. koningii, T. ressei and T. hamatum, which were statistically at par with each other. These Trichoderma species were evaluated for their antagonistic efficacy against three soil borne pathogens, F. udum, S. rolfsii and R. bataticola by dual culture technique. The maximum growth inhibition of F. udum (75.93%), S. rolfsii (71.48%) and R. bataticola (85.93%) were recorded by T. asperellum, which was followed by T. harzianum (74.00%, 70.74% and 80.74%, respectively). The Trichoderma spp. were also assayed for estimation of chitinase enzyme and among the six species, Trichoderma harzianum found to possessed highest chitinase enzyme i.e., 0.64 chitinase units/mg of protein.ThesisItem Open Access MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Trichoderma spp. ISOLATED FROM SALINE SOIL.(Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2021-01-19) SHARMA, RASNA.; Ingle, Dr. S. T.Genus Trichoderma contain many species that are of great economic importance because of ability to suppress pathogens and enhance capabilities of plants against soil borne pathogens. The present study was conducted to characterize the molecular variation in Trichoderma isolated from saline soil. Molecular techniques are important analytical tool to characterized genetic variability and diagnosis of microbial population. Molecular variability of Trichoderma isolates was studied by using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) techniques. The ITS universal markers was successfully used to amplify genomic DNA of Trichoderma. Eight isolates of Trichoderma confirmed with ITS-1and ITS-4 primers which gaves band size of 500bp to 600bp. Nine RAPD primers of OPA series were produced 61 scorable bands among them 57 bands were polymorphic and level of polymorphism was up to 93.44%. Three primers namely OPA-13, OPA-10 and OPA-20 each showed monomorphic band. similarity coefficient value ranged from 0.923 to 0.143 across Trichoderma isolates indicating the diversity among isolates. On the basis of dendrogram the isolates were divided into three clusters. Cluster –A, includes TD-1, TT-2, TC-3, TS-4 and TJ-5. Second group is named as cluster –B which includeTM-6. Third group is named as cluster -C which includes TA-7 and TA-8. The TJ-5 was found to have higher similarity index and the TM-6 was found to have lower similarity index. The maximum and minimum value of cophenetic matrix was 0.923 and 0.255 respectively. Isolate TS-4 was found to have a higher Cophenetic distance matrix with TJ-5 (0.923) and TM-6 with all isolates (0.255). In summary statistical observations, the minimum and maximum value was 0.000 and 1.000 respectively. The maximum and minimum standard deviation was TD-1 (0.504) and TA-7(0.413). In ISSR, 4 primer were tested and which produced 30 scorable bands among which 28 bands were polymorphic and level of polymorphism was up to 93.33%. Two clusters were observed in Dendrogram i.e. Cluster A includes four isolates i.e. TD-1, TS-4, TJ-5 and TM-6 and cluster B includes four isolates i.e.TT-2, TC-3, TA-7 and TA-8. Similarity coefficient value ranged from 0.048 to 0.824 across Trichoderma isolates. TS-4 was found to have a higher Cophenetic distance matrix with TJ-5 (0.824) and TM-6 with all isolates (0.158). summary statistics, on the basis of 30 total observations, the maximum and minimum value recorded between 0.000 to 1.000. The maximum standard deviation was observed in TJ-5 (0.509) and the minimum was observed in TM-6 and TA-8 (0.479). On the basis of RAPD and ISSR primers tested there is the existence molecular variability among the tested isolates of Trichoderma.ThesisItem Unknown MANAGEMENT OF TWIG BLIGHT OF NAGPUR MANDARIN CAUSED BY Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.(Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2021-03-05) REWATKAR, ASHWINI YOGESH.; Mane, Dr. S. S.Twig blight caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is one of the most important disease and resulting in both qualitative and quantitative losses in Nagpur mandarin. The disease is characterized by necrotic symptoms with drying of twigs from top to bottom. Dead parts of the twigs assume silvery grey appearance. The fungus infects the twigs, petioles, fruit stalks and fruits. In the present studies, In vitro efficacy of fungicides, bio-agents and botanicals were studied. Colletotrichum gloeosporiodes was found associated in collected samples of citrus. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was found pathogenic to citrus causing twig blight disease. Necrotic symtoms with drying of twigs from top to bottom like symptoms were produced on inoculated twigs under field condition. Among the fungicides tested, Carbendazim 50 WP, Propiconazole 25 EC, Tebuconazole 25% WG, Carboxin + Thiram DS and Azoxystrobin + Tebuconazole SC was the most effective against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Among the botanicals tested, maximum mycelial growth inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was observed Neem (Azadiracta indica) (76.31%), followed by Kaneer (Nerrium olender) (52.51%). Highest mycelial growth inhibition of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was with Psuedomonas fluroscense (57.64%) followed by Bacillus subtillis (53.05%).ThesisItem Open Access VARIABILITY AMONG THE ISOLATES OF Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines FROM DIFFERENT LOCATION.(Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2021-01-29) RATHOD, REKHA MANIK.; Ingle, Dr. R. W.Bacterial pustule disease of soybean caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines is the most serious problem in soybean production since they reduces the total production important protein. Considering the economic importance of the crop as well as disease, present study was undertaken to conduct collection of samples, isolation, identification, pathogenicity, study of different character of pathogen, morphological variability of selected isolates and in vitro evaluation and sensitivity test of different antiobiotics, fungicides, botanicals, bioagents, against the disease. The isolations were made from the symptomatic samples collected from different districts of Maharashtra viz. Akola (Xam-1), Buldhana (Xam-2), Amravati (Xam-3), Yavatmal (Xam-4), Washim (Xam-5), Wardha (Xam-6), Jalna (Xam-7). Pathogenicity of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines was proved by spray inoculation of the bacterial suspension on soybean variety Js-335, in pots ten to twelve leaf stage, after predisposition to humid condtion for 24 hr. The leaves were inoculated with the homogenized of the culture on leaf, the leaves slightly injured with carborandum/celite powder. Seedlings were then retained under humid condition for 24 hrs. by covering the pots with plastic bag. Pots were adequately watered. Simultaneously uninoculated plants were maintained as control. Cultural and morphological characters and variability such as colony colour and colony shape, colony size, call shape, appearance, colony margin elevation and texture of X. axonopodis pv. glycines were studied on NA media. Measure the growth character and colony count of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines on the basis of different level temperature, different pH and different salt concentration. The studies on biochemical characteristics of X. axonopodis pv. glycines showed their positive reactions for potassium hydroxide (KOH) solubility test, H2S production, starch hydrolysis, geletin liquification, catalase test, Tolerance to 1% NaCl wheras, Negative response for Gram staining, Indole production, and methyl red test. The antibiotic sensitivity against X. axonopodis pv. glycines was studied by Paper Disk Method. Streptocycline 400 ppm was significantly superior than all the treatments showing maximum inhibition zone i.e. 22.13 mm, in botanicals neem (Azardirachta indica) was significantly superior than all the treatments showed maximum inhibition zone i.e. 7.97, in bioagent pseudomonas flouroscens was significantly superior than all treatments showed maximum inhibition zone i.e. 11.35 mm.ThesisItem Open Access BIOMANAGEMENT OF GRAIN MOLD OF SORGHOUM.(Dr. Punjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maharashtra., 2021-02-15) POTE, VIJAY DHARMRAJ.; Gupta, Dr. V. R.The present investigation entitled "Biomanagement of grain mold of sorghum" was carried out during Kharif 2019-20 to evaluate the effect of different bioagents as spray treatments and find out the association among the various parameters related to grain mold. The experiment was conducted at Sorghum Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. Grain infecting fungi is an important constraint of sorghum crop grown in Kharif season, infection occurs when seed development found under high rainfall. Many fungi not only damage the grain quality but also affect the yield. These fungi adversely affect developing grains in terms of grain discoloration, molding of grain surface, endosperm degradation, reduced grain filling and reduced germination besides softening and mustiness of grains. Similarly, nutritional status of sorghum grains is likely to get hampered. In this experiment, spraying of different bioagents were taken on susceptible hybrid CSH-25 of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), in eight treatments, while one was Biomix and another absolute control treatment. The observations were recorded on five randomly selected cobs from each treatment and replication viz., Days to 80% flowering, per cent association of organisms, PGMR, TGMR, spikelets infection (green grain), organisms associated with threshed grains, germination percentage, shoot length, root length, seedling vigor index of threshed grains, 100 seed weight, seed hardness, endosperm texture, pericarp thickness and electrical conductivity. The crop took 77 to 79 days for 80% flowering and the treatments were imposed during this period. Fusarium moniliforme and Curvularia lunata were predominant fungi associated with grain mold of sorghum i.e. 39.67% and 30.00% respectively. Other fungi i.e. Alternaria alternata (3.25%), Aspergillus flavus (2.25%), Aspergillus niger (1.50%), Phoma sorghina (1.15%), Bipolaris sorghicola (1.00%), Drechslera tetramera (1.00%) and Penicillium spp. (1.15%) were also observed associated with grain mold. Least PGMR (6.00 %) and TGMR (27.33 %) was recorded in the treatment of Pseudomonas fluorescens (liq) @ 10 ml/l. Least Fusarium moniliforme, Curvularia lunata and other fungi association with spikelets infection (green grains) was found in the treatment of Pseudomonas fluorescens (liq) @ 10 ml/l viz., 8.00%, 5.33%, and 1.33% respectively. Fusarium moniliforme, Curvularia lunata and other fungi association with threshed grains was also lowest in the treatment of Pseudomonas fluorescens (liq) @ 10 ml/l i.e. 16.55%, 12.45% and 3.20% respectively. Highest seed germination (77.00%), shoot length (8.93 cm), root length (9.13 cm), seedling vigor index (1390.62), 100 seed weight (3.54 g) and seed hardness (6.96 kg/cm2) was recorded in the treatment of Pseudomonas fluorescens (liq) @ 10 ml/l. Pseudomonas fluorescens (liq) @ 10 ml/l recorded least endosperm texture (40.33%), pericarp thickness (81.00 µm) and electrical conductivity of 0.35 dSm-1 as against 70% endosperm texture, 85.66 µm pericarp thickness and 0.35 dSm-1 electrical conductivity in control.
