Impact of Sheath blight on Seedling vigour of Rice

Plant raised from sheath blight infected plants significantly reduced the seed germination, root length and seedling vigour index as compared to plants raised from seeds of healthy plants. Seeds from infected plant panicle showed 19.8% and 15.3% decrease in seed germination in comparison seeds from healthy plants under green house and field conditions, respectively. Root length(0.59cm & 1.13cm), shoot length (4.40cm & 3.08cm) seedling vigour index (1041.07 & 605.93) were significantly lower for seeds from infected plant panicle in comparison to healthy plant panicle in pot and field conditions, respectively in one month old seedlings. Plant 4 was significantly superior in seed germination, root length, shoot length and seedling vigour index in comparison to cv. Swarna in both glass house and field conditions.