The influence of the rate of liquid biohumus preparation Humiverd-eko on seed germination power, viability and contamination with fungi

Abstract

Studies of Humiverd-eko rates on seed germination power, viability and fungal contamination after organic barley seed treatment by different rates of biological preparation Humiverd-eko at Aleksandras Stulginskis University in 2012 have shown that barley seed treatment by Humiverd-eko at 6 l t-1 rate after 24 h has considerably increased the value of germination power index. The value of seed germination index after 960 h has substantially decreased compared to the value after 24 and 480 h. Spring barley seed treatment with Humiverd-eko at 9 l t-1 rate has essentially increased barley seed germination compared with untreated seeds, treated with synthetic stain and Humiverd-eko at 1, 3 and 6 l ha-1 rates. Having treated seeds with synthetic stain Lamardor 400 FS, an essential decrease of seed germination was observed when compared with both untreated seeds and those treated with biological preparation Humiverd-eko. After 24 h since the application of biological preparation, contamination of barley seeds by Fusarium, Alternaria and Penicillium spp. fungi was effectively reduced by Humiverd-eko 3.0 l t-1 rate, after 960 h since treatment - 9 l t-1 rate reduced contamination of barley by Fusarium and Alternaria fungi, while 12 l t-1 rate reduced contamination by the fungi of Alternaria and Drechslera genera. After 24 h, under the influence of biological preparation at a rate of 9 l t-1, damage of seedling coleoptiles substantially decreased by 10.6%, prevalence of seedling root diseases – by 1.5%. Seed contamination by root rot pathogens was effectively reduced by 6 l ha-1 rate. After 960 h, Humiverd-eko 1 and 12 l t-1 rates effectively protected barley seedlings against the spreading of diseases. The least damaged barley roots were found under exposure of Humiverd-eko 1 and 12 l t-1 rates, while biological efficiency of Humiverd-eko 6 l t-1 rate on seed fungi comprised 20.0%.