Effect of priming agents on seed germination of three corn species

Abstract

This study determines the effect of different priming agents (water, sodium chloride, potassium nitrate and calcium sulphate) on seed germination and sprout development in Guinea corn (Sorghum bicolor), millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and popcorn maize (Zea mays var everta). Different concentrations of the priming agents (5, 10, 15 and 20 g/l) were used for a period of 24 hours and the primed seeds planted on Petri dishes at the same time. At the end of five days germination, effects of each of the priming agents were as follows; (water: 2.67±0.00, 13.67±0.00 and 6.33±0.00); (NaCl: 3.84±0.70, 12.08±0.74 and 2.75±0.96); (KNO3: 3.17±0.79, 11.67±0.27 and 2.75±0.96) ; (CaSO4 : 4.25±1.66, 13.50± and 5.25±0.32) respectively for popcorn maize, guinea corn and millet germination. Priming of seeds generally increased germination and caused a rapid increase in growth of plumule and root. It was discovered that all the priming agents supported germination with calcium sulphate topmost in some cases among them. All the priming agents used were effective in aiding seed germination in popcorn maize and sorghum more than in millet.

Effects of Expired and Non-Expired Pendimethalin and Hand Weeding on the Bio- Productivity and Seed Quality of Groundnut (Arachis Hypogaea L.)

“…The study showed that both expired and non-expired pendimethalin were effective in decreasing weed growth and they all improved yield in Samnut 21, except that the treatments where pendimethalin expired were used had lower yield compared to the pendimethalin non-expired. Also, the treatment that showed the highest output was pendimethalin non-expired + one hand weeding at 6 WAS, this is an indication that integrated weed management is not only effective in weed suppression but enhances higher yield compared to other treatments.. (Amare et al, 2014;Olorunmaiye et al, 2014).…”

“…With the exception of the herbicide that reached its expiration date in 2011, the germination rate was continuously greater in the control treatment. (Olorunmaiye et al, 2014). As most of these farmers get rid of expired herbicides after harvest and then start to look for means to get another one when a new season comes around, the pertinent decision arises whether or not to use expired herbicides as weed control agent.…”