Effect of osmopriming on the emergence of Maize (Zea mays L.) seedling

Abstract

The research work was carried out at the Seed Laboratory of Agronomy Department of Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh during the period from March to November in 2008 to find out the effect of different osmopriming techniques on seedling emergence of maize. Seventeen osmopriming techniques viz., T₁ = 1% Na₂SO₄, T₂ = 3% Na₂SO₄, T₃ = 5% Na₂SO₄, T₄ = 1% K₂HPO₄, T₅ = 3% K₂HPO₄, T₆ = 5% K₂HPO₄, T₇ = 1% ZnSO₄, T₈ = 3% ZnSO₄, T₉ = 5% ZnSO₄, T₁₀ = 1% Ca(H₂PO₄)2, T₁₁ = 3% Ca(H₂PO₄)2, T₁₂ = 5% Ca(H₂PO₄)₂, T₁₃ = 1% H₂O₂, T₁₄ = 3% H₂O₂, T₁₅ = 5% H₂O₂, T₁₆ = Hydropriming, T₁₇ = Non-priming (control) were used as experimental variables. Different osmopriming methods on seedling emergence performance of maize was evaluated at two moisture levels viz., 30 and 60% moisture of saturated sand in the experiment. Germination percentage, germination index and mean germination time were influenced significantly by osmopriming methods. Seed priming with 3% ZnSO₄ showed the highest seedling emergence which was followed by 1% H₂O₂ and 3% Ca (H₂PO₄)₂.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i3.21986

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(3): 427-435, September 2014