Enhancing Marigold Seed Quality During Storage Through Fungicide Pelleting and Suppression of Pythium Sp. At the Seedling Stage

Marigold seeds are small, lightweight, and have limited nutrient reserves, leading to issues with slow and uneven germination. Seed pelleting technology has been utilized to increase the size and uniformity of seeds. Additionally, marigolds are susceptible to Pythium sp., a fungal pathogen causing damping-off disease, characterized by water-soaked lesions at the stem base, leading to seedling collapse and death. This study aimed to identify the appropriate type and concentration of fungicidal agents for pelleting marigold seeds to prevent Pythium sp. infection while maintaining seed quality both before and after storage. The experiments were designed using a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The results indicated that mancozeb at 0.4 g.ai. and fosetyl-aluminium at 0.1 g.ai. were the optimal types and concentrations for seed pelleting. Specifically, pelleting with mancozeb at 0.4 g.ai. significantly enhanced seed germination, vigor, and seedling growth compared to other methods. Furthermore, seeds pelleted with mancozeb at 0.4 g.ai. maintained high germination rates after two months of storage under both controlled and ambient conditions when tested in laboratory settings. In greenhouse conditions, seeds pelleted with mancozeb at 0.4 g.ai. showed high seedling viability two months post-storage under both controlled and ambient conditions. Therefore, pelleting marigold seeds with mancozeb at 0.4 g.ai. is recommended as it promotes germination, enhances seedling vigor and growth, and effectively inhibits Pythium sp. throughout storage under both conditions.