Review on the Effects of Seed Priming on Performance of Maize Seedlings

Maize ( Zea mays L.) is members of the grass family, Poaceae (Gramineae). It is believed that the crop was originated in Mexico. Maize is an important food crop in southeastern Ethiopian produced in a number of agro ecologies in region. The main objective of this senior seminar is to review the effect of seed priming on performance of maize seedling. The effect of Priming and ambient temperature due to different sowing dates on emergence of maize seedlings. Seed priming also called is osmo conditioning is one of the most promising treatments for reducing the time needed between sowing and seedling emergence. Seeds planted in early spring frequently experience low temperatures stress in soil during Germination and early plant growth. All part of the crop can be used for food and non-food products. In industrialized countries, maize is largely used as livestock feed and as a raw material for industrial products. .Different factors, such as soil moisture stress, temperature extremities, and soil salinity, poor seed bed preparation, weed competition, low seed quality, and extreme disease pressure adversely affect the emergence of maize seed. Seed priming could be used as a viable technology to improve seedling establishment. Rapid and uniform emergence has been achieved by seed priming in some field. Seed priming is an effective technology to enhance rapid and uniform emergence and to achieve high vigour, leading to better stand establishment and yield .There are several priming techniques, such as hydro priming osmo priming, halo priming, matrix priming and bio priming. Keywords : Seed physiological quality, Seed priming, Sowing date, Seedling emergence DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-14-05 Publication date: July 31 st 2020