Effect of halo priming and hormonal priming on seed germination and seedling vigour in maize (Zea mays L) seeds

The experiment was conducted in Post Graduate Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad (U.P.), in order to standardize the suitable method of priming for Maize seeds (var. SHIATS MS 3). Three methods of priming viz., T0-Unprimed (Control), T1-Hydropriming with Distilled water, T2-Hormonal priming with GA3 100ppm, T3-Hormonal priming with Salicylic Acid 100ppm, T4-Hormonal priming with Ascorbic Acid 100ppm, T5- Halo priming with KNO3 1% and T6-Halo priming with CaCl2 hydration for 12 hours. It was found that among all the priming showed significance difference with the control and the highest germination percentage (%), germination index, energy of emergence, seedling length (cm), seedling fresh weight (g), seedling dry weight (g) and vigour indices were observed in GA3 priming for 12 hours. This study also showed that Seed priming with Salicylic Acid and CaCl2 were found to increase the seedling characters. The study helps to improve the seedling character, growth of seeds with the help of seed priming treatments which are cost effective, economic, non-toxic and eco-friendly sources.