author(s)
M Ananthi, G Sasthri, P Srimathi and K Malarkodi

abstract
The present experiments were carried out in the Department of Seed Science and Technology, TNAU, Coimbatore during 2010-2011 to evaluate the efficacy of botanicals on seed deterioration in greengram cv. CO 6. The seeds were dry dressed with rhizome powders of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and vasambu (Acorus calamus) @ 3g kg-1 of seed and evaluated with Polymer @ 3ml kg-1 of seed, Polymer @ 3ml kg-1 of seed + Imidacloprid @ 2ml kg-1 of seed + Carbendazim @ 2g kg-1 of seed, Polymer @ 3ml kg-1 of seed + Halogen mixture @ 3g kg-1 of seed (chlorine based) (CaCl2 + CaCO3 in 1:1 ratio) along with control. The results revealed that vasambu rhizome powder @ 3g kg-1 of seed controlled both bruchid infestation and seed deterioration maintained seed quality characters up to nine months of storage in polythene bag container under ambient storage. Seed treated with vasambu rhizome powder @3g kg-1 of seed recorded highest germination percentage (82), dry matter production ((244 mg/10 seedlings), vigour index (3411) and nil percent of insect infestation compared to control seed after nine months of storage period in polythene bag without loss in vigour and viability of seeds.