Seed priming as a method for improving maize seed germination parameters at low temperatures

Abstract

Seed priming is a useful technique, applied prior to planting, which partially hydrates the seeds to a point of germination process initiation, followed by drying, which prevents radicle emergence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of various seed priming treatments on germination parameters of maize at different temperatures. Seeds were primed in water (hydropriming) and KNO3 solution (0.1% and 0.5%) by soaking at 25°C for 17h. Germination parameters were tested at 25°C, 15-25°C and 15°C. Seed priming had a positive effect on some seed germination parameters at low and mixed temperature. Treatment with 0.5% KNO3 had the most improving effect. This treatment reduced MGT, T50 and increased GE at low and mixed temperature. Priming showed no positive effect on the final germination. This study showed that seed priming with KNO3 could be used to achieve better seedling establishment at low temperature conditions in maize.

Potapanje semena je metod tretmana semena. Primenjuje se neposredno pre setve, pri čemu se seme vlaži do pokretanja procesa klijanja, nakon čega se suši kako bi se sprečilo izbijanje korenka. Cilj ovog ispitivanja bila je procena efekta različitih metoda potapanja semena na parametre klijanja semena kukuruza pri različitim temperaturama. Tretman je vršen potapanjem semena u vodu i rastvore KNO3 (0,1% i 0,5%) pri temperaturi od 25° C u trajanju od 17h. Parametri klijanja praćeni su pri temperaturama 25°C, 15/25°C i 15°C. Potapanje semena je imalo pozitívne efekte na pojedine parametre klijanja pri niskoj i kombinovanoj temperaturi. Najbolji rezultati uočeni su pri potapanju u 0,5% KNO3. Ovaj tretman je smanjio MGT i T50 a povećao GE pri niskoj i kombinovanoj temperaturi. Potapanje semena nije uticalo na klijavost semena. Ovo istraživanje ukazuje na mogućnost primene potapanja u KNO3 u cilju postizanja bržeg nicanja i boljeg sklopa kukuruza pri nižim temperaturama.