Impact of Temperature and Water on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Germination and seedling development are essential stages in a plant’s life cycle, greatly influenced by temperature and moisture conditions. The aim of this study was to determine maize (Zea mays L.) seeds’ germination and seedling development under various abiotic stresses. Eight different temperature levels, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 °C, were used. Drought and waterlogging stresses were tested using 30 water levels based on one-milliliter intervals and as percentages of thousand kernel weight (TKW) at 20 and 25 °C. Seedling density and the use of antifungals were also examined. Temperature significantly affected germination duration and seedling growth, and 20 °C was found to be ideal with an optimal range of less than 30 °C. Germination occurred at 25% of the TKW. The optimal water range for seedling growth was higher and broader than the range for germination. Seed size assisted in defining germination water requirements and providing an accurate basis. The present research established an optimum water supply range of 150–325% of the TKW for maize seedling development. A total of 6 seeds per 9 cm Petri dish may be preferable over greater densities. The technique of priming seeds with an antifungal solution before planting was observed to have a better effect than applying it in the growth media.

Impact of T. harzianum and G. mosseae Inoculum and Phosphate Rocks on the NPK Content in Barley Crop (Hordium Valgari L.)

“…Table (2) showed the significant impact of applying G.mosseae fungus on increasing the average plant nitrogen content by 1.886% compared to the control treatment of 1.815%. This increase is attributed to the fungus G. mosseae in increasing the density of the root system and thus increasing nitrogen uptake and preparing the plant with it, and these results are consistent with [15,16]. The results also showed that T. harzianum significantly increased the average plant nitrogen content 1.910 %, compared to the control treatment, 1.791%.…”

Heat Stress-Mediated Constraints in Maize (Zea mays) Production: Challenges and Solutions

“…Notably, the younger seedlings are less susceptible to high temperatures ( Sánchez et al, 2014 ). The overall required temperature range for early maize seedling growth is 30–35°C, and the optimal temperature is around 20°C ( Khaeim et al, 2022 ), 4–6°C higher than the suitable temperature for wheat and barley growth ( Sánchez et al, 2014 ). Importantly, depending upon maize variety and below 20°C, every 0.5°C downfalls in daily temperature resulted in 10–20 days extended crop duration ( Rahman et al, 2009 ).…”

Effect of Bio-Inoculum, Compost, and Humic Acid on NPK Availability in Tomato Soils

“…Treatment C2 produced 14.90 mg/kg -1 /soil, while the control made the lowest mean of 9.50 mg/kg -1 /soil. The reason for this is due to the increase in the release of Co 2 gas as a result of the decomposition of the compost, which when dissolved forms carbonic acid, which leads to the dissolution of the precipitated phosphate compounds and an increase in the concentration of aailable phosphorous in the soil, [20]. There are significant differences in phosphorous availability in the soil because of applying different levels of humus fertilizer.…”

“…Treatment (H2) produced the highest rate of 241.78 mg/kg -1 /soil, while the lowest rate with the control was 216.28 mg/kg -1 /soil. The increase is because humic acid contains potassium in its composition; when it is decomposed, it will increase the concentration of available potassium in the soil, [20].…”