Use of compost tea from coir pith compost as a seed treatment for enhancing pathogen-contaminated seeds germination

The importance of pathogen-contaminated seedlings stems from the potential yield loss caused by the seed-borne inoculum under typical environmental conditions. Compost tea, a water-brewed compost extract derived from various agricultural waste compost, has been shown in numerous studies to suppress phytopathogens and plant diseases. This study aimed  to determine the effects of coir pith compost tea on the germination of pathogen-contaminated seeds. Cells of Ralatonia solanacearum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Fusarium oxysporum were inoculated on tomato seeds, chili seeds, and rice seeds, respectively. Prior to the seed germination test, the pathogen-contaminated seeds were soaked in coir pith compost tes for 24 hours without dilution or diluting at a ratio of 1:100 (v/v). The results showed that coir pith compost tea, either without dilution or at a 1:100 (v/v) dilution, could improve the germination of contaminated seeds in terms of root and shoot length, speed of germination index, and germination index when cpmpared to the control treatment without soaking. Treatment with compost tea at 1:100 (v/v) has greater relative root length (239.40%, 488.80%, and 181.00%), relative shoot length (157.47%, 263.56%, and 172.10%), Speed of germination index (11.80, 12.65 and 10.46), and germination index (239.40, 488.89 and 181.00) of tomato to seeds, chili seeds and rice seeds, respectively than treatment with compost tea without dilution. This information could be used to develop control strategies. If done regularly, it could reduce the entry of seed-borne  disease-causing organisms into crops, resulting in less disease pressure.