Summary:The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different seed treatments on germination parameters of three maize genotypes under optimal and suboptimal temperature conditions. Seed was treated with recommended doses of three commercial pesticide formulations: metalaxyl-m 10 g/L + fludioxonil 25 g/L, metalaxyl 20 g/kg + prothioconazole 100 g/kg and thiacloprid 400 g/L. Testing was conducted at 25°C and 15°C. Results of the study indicate that there are differences in response of maize genotypes to applied seed treatments, as well as to a specific treatment at optimal and suboptimal temperatures. Some treatments, depending on the mixing partner and temperature conditions, can affect final germination. In other cases, germination rate can be accelerated or prolonged, but with no effect on final germination. In order to provide fast and uniform emergence under different temperature conditions, further examination of the response of maize genotypes to specific seed treatments would be beneficial.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether different priming treatments could affect emergence, speed of emergence and yield of freshly produced and aged maize seeds sown at different depths. Two lots of parental maize line A634 produced in the previous season were used as seed source, and twenty-year-old seed. After priming with distilled water and 0.5% KNO3 solution, the seed was sown at four depths. Results showed that freshly produced seeds did not benefit from priming treatments. Reaction of the aged seeds differed depending on the priming treatment. Results indicated that priming with KNO3 should be avoided in aged seeds of A634 because of its detrimental effect on the emergence and yield. Hydropriming induced higher percentage of emerged plants and faster emergence, but with no effect on yield. Reaction to priming treatments varied with sowing depth, which should not exceed 5.0 cm for parental line A634 according to this study.

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