BHARAT, NARENDER KNEGI, SHIVANGI2019-08-012019-08-012019-05http://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810118383ABSTRACT The present investigation entitled “Studies on seed biopriming and its effect on growth, yield and seed quality in French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)” was conducted during the years 2017 and 2018 under laboratory and field conditions in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). Nine indigenous isolates of bioagents including three plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR-1, PGPR-2 & PGPR-3), three rhizobial biofertilizers (Rhizobium strain- B1, Rhizobium strain- B2& Rhizobium strain- P1) and three biocontrol agents (Trichoderma harzianum, T. viride & T. virens) were screened for their efficacy as seed biopriming under laboratory conditions following standard methods of seed quality and health testing as prescribed by International Seed Testing Association. On the basis of these tests, PGPR-1, Rhizobium strain- B1 and T. viride were selected from their respective categories for further studies. The doses (cfu/ ml) and time durations (hr) for seed biopriming with these three bioagents were also standardized following standard methods. On the basis of in vitro studies, the doses and time durations of biopriming finalized were as PGPR-1 @109 cfu/ml for 6 hrs, Rhizobium strain- B1 @109 cfu/ml for 8 hrs and T. viride @ 107 cfu/ ml for 6 hrs. These bioagents were then evaluated under storage and field conditions. Ten treatment combinations were used viz., PGPR-1 (T1), Rhizobium strain- B1(T2), Trichoderma viride (T3), PGPR + Rhizobium strain B1 (T4), PGPR + Trichoderma viride (T5), Rhizobium strain B1 + Trichoderma viride (T6), PGPR + Rhizobium strain B1 + Trichoderma viride (T7), Hydropriming (T8), Carbendazim (Treated control) (T9) and Untreated control (T10). Under storage conditions up to nine months, seed biopriming with PGPR-1 + Rhizobium strain B1 (T4) resulted significantly higher germination (91.50 %), speed of germination (6.86), seedling length (31.90 cm), seedling dry weight (1929.60 mg), seedling vigour index- length (SVI-L) (2929.95) and seedling vigour index- mass (SVI-M) (170131.40) and lowest seed mycoflora (3.75 %) as compared to carbendazim treatment and untreated control. Under field conditions in both the years, field emergence (95.18 %), plant height at 30 days after sowing (34.09 cm), plant height at final harvest (56.99 cm), days to pod harvest (52.33), harvest duration (18.67), pod length at final harvest (16.83 cm), number of pods per plant (20.17), dry pod weight (2.72 g), pod yield per plant (38.64 g), number of seeds per pod (7.17), seed yield per plant (20.76 g), seed yield per plot (875.33 g), seed yield per hectare (23.34 q), 100 seed weight (34.19 g), quality of harvested seeds were recorded significantly higher in PGPR-1 + Rhizobium strain B1 (T4) as compared to carbendazim seed treatment and untreated control. This treatment combination also reduced incidence of diseases like, Rhizoctonia root rot (2.60%) and Angular leaf spot (2.97%) significantly as compared to carbendazim seed treatments and untreated control. It can be concluded from the present investigation that seed biopriming of French bean cv. Contender with PGPR-1+Rhizobium strain B1 @ 109 cfu/ml for 8 hours was an effective treatment which significantly improved plant growth, pod yield, seed yield, seed quality and seed vigour and reduced disease incidence as compared to seed treatment with carbendazim @ 0.2% as well as untreated control under field conditions.ennullThesis