Effect of Seed Treatment (Soaking Cum Incubation) on Plant Population Maintenance of Maize (Zea Mays L) under Rainfed Conditions during Winter Season at Parwanipur, Bara, Nepal

B.P Yadav,D N Yadav,K.B Koirala,K.R Pandey,R.B Thapa

doi:10.3126/ijasbt.v4i1.13902

Abstract

Non-primed top quality seed of maize having cent-percent germination in lab resulted only 61% emergence in the field based on 4806 observations for non-primed seed while treated seed (priming cum incubation) recorded 82 % emergence in the field based on 4806 observations during first year. During second year experiment also non-primed top quality seed of hybrid maize having cent-percent germination in lab resulted 71.29% emergence while priming cum incubation treatment recorded 91.84% emergence. The result of both years clearly indicates the importance of seed treatment for maintaining the optimum plant population and there by insuring higher yield of winter hybrid maize.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(1): 113-116

Highlights

In winter season under rain-fed condition maintenance of optimum plant population is a great challenge for winter maize production due to low temperature in spite of germination through lab test
Seed priming and incubation hastens the bio-chemical activities within the seed resulting into quicker germination and emergence and thereby maintain sufficient plant population in the field as compared to non-primed seeds (Chivasa et al, 2000)
At each plant sites healthy plants and higher number of plant obtained from priming cum incubation treatment was kept and rest was removed

Summary

Introduction

In winter season under rain-fed condition maintenance of optimum plant population is a great challenge for winter maize production due to low temperature in spite of germination through lab test. Seed priming and incubation hastens the bio-chemical activities within the seed resulting into quicker germination and emergence and thereby maintain sufficient plant population in the field as compared to non-primed seeds (Chivasa et al, 2000). Primed seed usually emerges from the soil faster and more uniformly than non-primed seed of the same seed lots These differences are greatest under adverse environmental condition in the fields such as cold or hot soil. Ninety seven farmers tested maize seed priming in tribal areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, India. They reported in pre and post-harvest focus group discussion that primed crops emerged 2-3 days earlier than non-primed ones and resulted in better, more uniform stands. Almost hundred percent farmers intended to continue priming in future (Harris et al, 2001a)

Materials and Methods

Result and Discussion

Summery and Conclusion