Effect of tree formulations of diatomaceous earth on germination percentage and seedling growth rate of wheat, under laboratory conditions

Subject Areas : entomology and othea arthropods

F. Shakhsi Zare ¹ , R. Vafaei Shushtari ² , H. Farazmand ³ , A. Marouf ⁴ , M. Ghazavi ⁵

1 - Department of Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran
2 - Entomology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran
3 - Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran
4 - Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran
5 - Iranian Research Institute of Plant Protection, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2013-06-02 Accepted : 2014-07-03 Published : 2015-05-22

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Abstract :

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Iranian formulation of diatomaceous earth (Sayan®), and other two DE formulations (Insecto® and SilicoSec®) on seed germination and seedling growth rate, under laboratory conditions (16 hrs light and 20±2 °C). Wheat seeds (vr. Falät) were treated with 250, 500, 1000 and 1500 ppm of each DE formulations at four replicates. Seed germination was tested in standard methods and the length of seedling was measured, 8 days after treatment and compared with control. The results showed a significant difference between Sayan and two other formulation of DEs in seed germination and seedling growing rate of wheat seeds. How ever there was no significant difference between Insecto and SilicoSec. For Sayan, seed germination increased with increasing dosage. The highest seed germination (89%) and the least (54%) occurred in 1500 and 250 ppm respectively. Seedling length was not influenced by increasing Sayan concentrations. According to results of this study, Iranian formulation of diatomaceous earth (Sayan®) has lower effects on seed germination and seedling growing rate of wheat and can improve the storage longevity of wheat in compare to other formulation of DE.