Integrated management of seed-borne viruses of tomato through chemicals and dry heat seed treatment

The management studies conducted during the investigations showed that tomato viruses can be effectively managed by seed treated with chemicals like sodium hypochlorite, trisodium phosphate and hydrochloric acid (HCl). These chemicals reduced the disease incidence of viral infection on the tomato seedling with increase in concentration. no disease incidence was observed when seeds were treated with sodium hypochlorite and HCl at concentration of 1.0 per cent for 5 min. and 10 min., respectively. The highest germination percentage (86 per cent) was recorded when the seeds were given pre-sowing trisodium phosphate treatment (0.5%) for 5 minutes. it was observed that the germination percentage and reduction in disease incidence were directly proportional to the concentration of chemicals and duration of treatments. The infected seeds were also treated at different temperature (64°C, 72°C and 80°C) and durations for 48 and 72 hours for inactivation of these viruses. The per cent disease incidence and seed germination were significantly reduced with increase in temperature and its duration. The dry heat treatment significantly reduced the disease incidence but seed germination was reduced significantly. Thus the chemical seed treatment proved better than dry heat treatment.