Effect of seed priming on germination and yield of corn

This study was carried out in order to evaluate effect of seed priming on seed germination and yield of corn (Zea mays var S.C704) in Islamic Azad University, Pars Abad Moghan Branch, Iran, in 2011. The experimental design was two factors factorial on basis of randomized complete block design with four replications. The first factor was priming methods (control, ZnSO4, KH2PO4, KNO3 and H2O) and the second factor was priming duration (control, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours). Results showed that priming methods and duration increased germination percentage, germination rate, numbers of seed row, seed numbers in row, ear length, ear diameter, 1000-seed weight, biological yield, seed yield and harvest index. According to the results of this experiment, seed priming by H2O with 18 hours had an appropriate performance and could increase seed germination, seed yield and yield components to an acceptable level. Therefore, hydro-priming is a simple, low cost and environmentally friendly technique for improving seed yield in corn.

[1]  R. Farhoudi,et al.  The effects of NaCl priming on salt tolerance in canola (Brassica napus L.) seedlings grown under saline conditions , 2007 .

[2]  D. Harris,et al.  The improvement of crop yield in marginal environments using 'on-farm' seed priming: nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and disease resistance , 2005 .

[3]  K. Subedi,et al.  Seed Priming Does Not Improve Corn Yield in a Humid Temperate Environment , 2005, Agronomy Journal.

[4]  W. Schillinger,et al.  Seed priming winter wheat for germination, emergence, and yield , 2003 .

[5]  C. L. Chen,et al.  Effect of Priming Temperature on Storability of Primed sh‐2 Sweet Corn Seed , 2002 .

[6]  C. Job,et al.  Sugarbeet seed priming: effects of priming conditions on germination, solubilization of 11-S globulin and accumulation of LEA proteins , 2000, Seed Science Research.

[7]  P. S. Sodhi,et al.  ON-FARM SEED PRIMING IN SEMI-ARID AGRICULTURE: DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION IN MAIZE, RICE AND CHICKPEA IN INDIA USING PARTICIPATORY METHODS , 1999, Experimental Agriculture.

[8]  G. Bruggink,et al.  Induction of longevity in primed seeds , 1999, Seed Science Research.

[9]  C. Chiduza,et al.  Agronomic practices, major crops and farmers perceptions of the importance of good stand establishment in Musikavanhu Communal Area, Zimbabwe , 1998 .

[10]  K. Harker,et al.  Effects of seed hydration on agronomic performance of wheat, barley and oats in central Alberta , 1991 .

[11]  D. Cantliffe,et al.  Mechanism of seed priming in circumventing thermodormancy in lettuce. , 1984, Plant physiology.

[12]  D. Dwivedi,et al.  Effects of pre-sowing seed treatments on growth and dry-matter accumulation of high-yielding wheats under rainfed conditions. , 1980 .