What is it about?
This article is about the potential use of banana leaf ash (BLA), prepared from waste banana leaves, as a sustainable seed treatment material. The study on the maize seeds at different application rates of ash formulation is compared for their effects against untreated seeds and Thiram a market standard known for seed treatment. The effectiveness is compared for controlling seed-borne fungal diseases, improving germination, and promoting seedling growth. The main objective is to identify a suitable dosage that provides effective disease control while maintaining healthy seedling development. The banana leaf ash optimum doses 20-30 gm/kg seed demonstrate the significant control over the seedborne pathogenic fungi with balanced healthy seedling.
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Why is it important?
This study is important because it explores the possibility of converting agricultural waste into a useful, eco-friendly, low cost material for crop protection. Banana leaf ash showed promising results in reducing seedborne fungal infections caused by Aspergillus niger, Fusarium verticillioides, Rhizopus spp. etc and also supporting maize seedling growth under laboratory conditions. The research also underlines the importance of selecting an appropriate dosage, as excessive ash application may delay germination or reduce seedling vigor. Therefore, banana leaf ash could potentially serve as a locally available, low-cost alternative or supplement to conventional fungicides, subject to further filed investigation.
Perspectives
The study opens new opportunities for developing sustainable and waste-based approaches to seed treatment for the seedborne disease control. Future research should investigate the properties of banana leaf ash responsible for its antifungal activity and validate its effectiveness through field trials and long-term seed storage studies. Its application to other crops, for seed treatment as well as foliar application in fungal as well as overall disease control, effects on plant health and yield, beneficial microorganisms, and environmental safety should also be evaluated. These investigations would help to determine whether banana leaf ash can be safely and effectively adopted as a low cost, practical agricultural seed treatment alternative.
Pravin More
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Evaluation of Banana Waste Leaf Ash as a Sustainable Seed Treatment for Maize: Effective Dosage for Disease Control and Growth Enhancement, Current Indian Science, February 2026, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/012210299x403566251211091435.
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