COMPARISON OF NEEM PRODUCTS WITH ACTELLIC AND DITHANE AS SEED DRESSERS ON THE VIABILITY AND VIGOUR OF STORED SEED MAIZE

Abstract

Samples of seed maize were treated with neem seed powder, neem leaf powder and neem seed oil at 0.5% and 1.0% concentration each. Some of the seeds were also treated with Actellic 25 EC. and Dithane M45 (at the same levels of concentration as used for the neem products) while others were left untreated. The seeds were then stored for nine months in pre-sterilized black polythene bags. After the storage period, germination tests were performed on the treated seeds and the control to determine their Viability. Vigour index and coefficient of velocity were also determined for each treated seed as a measure of seed vigour. Results showed that neem seed powder, neem seed oil and Actellic depressed the Viability and vigour of seed maize. However, Dithane and neem leaf powder had no adverse effect on the quality of seed maize. Therefore, neem leaf powder could be used as seed dresser at 1. 0% (W W) concentration