Relative Efficacy of Neem Based Insecticides on Seed Viability and Quality of Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) During Storage

Effect of neem based bio-pesticides were tested on germination, infestation, field emergence, mortality and seed vigour index in pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) seed cv. Azad during storage. Seed with 9.8% initial moisture and 85% germination were treated with ten Neem based bio insecticides viz. Neem seed kernel powder, Neem cake, Neem dry leaf powder @ 5 g/kg seed, Neem oil, Nimbicidine, Achook @ 5 ml/kg seed Neem India and Econeem @ 2.5 and 5 ml/kg seed along with Deltamethrin @ 40 mg/kg seed and one sample was kept untreated as control. All samples were packed in jute bag let and stored for ten months under ambient conditions. Seed treated with Deltamethrin showed higher germination (82.93%), mortality (100%), field emergence (80%), infestation (0.0%) and seed vigour index (24.21) in relation toneem based bio-insecticides. However, Nimbicidine showed at par germination (82.20), mortality (48.26%), infestation (2%), field emergence (78%) and seed vigor index (23.67) with Deltamethrin followed by Achook and Neem oil after 10 months storage, so bio-insecticides Nimbicidine @ 5 ml/kg seed can be recommended for pre storage seed treatment of pigeon pea.