Seedborne Diseases and Its Management

Abstract

Among all the crop diseases, seedborne diseases occur most commonly. Seedborne diseases are one of the major issues leading to low crop yield. A number of pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi are the main causative agents of seedborne diseases. There are various modes of seed infection either at the dormant stage or at maturity stage that reasons abnormalities in seeds. These pathogens are continually transferred from one generation to another with seeds and grounds for crop loss every season. The most effective way for protection from seedborne diseases at an early stage is by detecting and controlling pathogens. Disease-free seeds are very important for high yield. Across the world, most of the cereals are grown from seeds. Seeds are traded across the countries, which lead to the transmission of seedborne disease and an efficient way to plant disease dispersal. Therefore, strong seed managements will be very important to cope up with increased food demand. These seed diseases are mostly controlled by physical and chemical treatments, but use of chemicals is hazardous to seeds and to the environment. Therefore, nowadays, biocontrol agents are recommended for controlling seedborne diseases. New methods are constantly being developed to make disease-free seeds.