Impact of fertilizer priming on seed germination behavior and vigor of maize

• Published in: Pure and applied biology Vol. 5; no. 4; p. 1
• Main Author: Khan, Amir Zaman
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Quetta International Society of Pure and Applied Biology 01-12-2016
• Subjects: Agricultural research; Agronomy; Ammonium; Ammonium nitrate; Calcium; Cereal crops; Corn; Cultivars; Distilled water; Fertilizers; Germination; Plant growth; Seed germination; Seedlings; Seeds; Zea mays; Pakistan
• ISSN: 2304-2478; 2304-2478
• DOI: 10.19045/bspab.2016.50093

Laboratory experiments were conducted to examine the efficacy of fertilizer priming on seed germination behavior and vigor of two maize cultivars "Azam and Phari" at Agronomy Research Laboratory, University of Agriculture, Peshawar- Pakistan during 2015. Studied treatments include hydropriming (distilled water) and osmopriming with Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) at 0.5% for 24 hours. Non primed seed were used as control. Data were recorded on germination and vigor parameters according to standard procedures. Results showed that both hydro and osmo-priming significantly improved germination %, mean germination time, germination index, plumule and radical length, seedling fresh and dry weight of both cultivars as compared to control treatment. Cultivar Azam performed better in all germination and vigor attributes than Phari. It was concluded that both hydro and osmopriming with Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) at 0.5% for 24 hours are practical approaches for improving growth and vigor of maize crop under harsh environment.