Hot Water Treatment of Mungbean Seeds: Effects on Seed-borne <I>Macrophomina phaseolina</I> and on Germination

Abstract

Hot water treatment was done in mungbean seeds in order to control seed-borne Macrophomina phaseolina. Total seven different temperatures viz. 50°C, 52°C, 54°C, 56°C, 58°C, 60 °C and 62°C and three durations viz. 10, 15, and 20 minutes for each temperature treatment were employed. Among them, the suitable temperature and duration for best germination and complete eradication of M. phaseolina found to be 54°C for 20 minutes, 56°C for 10, 15, and 20 minutes; and 58°C for 10 and 15 minutes. After 58°C for 15 minutes duration, the germination was sharply decreased with the increasing of temperature and period although the infection did not appear any longer. However, for convenience, the recommended temperature and period for hot water treatment in order to control seed-borne M. phaseolina can be 56°C to 58°C for 10 to 15 minutes.