Abstract

Early sowing of maize crop can contribute to increase maize yield but poor stand establishment at low temperature is the main hindrance in its productivity. Maize,being sensitive to low temperature at germination and early growth stage result into poor seedling establishment at low temperature during early spring planting. Seed priming with ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide may improve seed performance at suboptimal temperature. Maize’s seeds were soaked in 20 and 40 mg L^-1 aerated solution of ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide for 24 h and were dried back to its original weight under shade. Primed and non-primed seeds were sown in pot containing sand under net house conditions. Seed priming improves, fastens and synchronized emergence. Different priming strategies increased shoot and root fresh weight and dry weight. Increase in growth characteristics were associated with increase in antioxidants like catalase and peroxidase activities. Thus, it suggests that seed priming with ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide may improve the speed of germination of maize seed and benefit seedling growth at low temperature. It concluded from the present results that early emergence and seedling establishment improved by seed priming with ascorbic acid, salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide by inducing the antioxidants defense system.

Key words: Priming, ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, maize, emergence, growth, antioxidants.

Abbreviation

ROS, Reactive oxygen species; AsA, ascorbic acid; SA, salicylic acid; CRD, completely randomized design; CAT, catalase; FEP, final emergence percentage; POD, peroxidase; MET, mean emergence time; APX, ascorbate peroxidase.