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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Seed priming techniques for maize and pea crop are not well established for rain-fed agro-climatic conditions of Himachal Pradesh. Keeping this in view, a study was carried out for two years (2014-15 and 2015-16) at the experimental farm of Hill Agricultural Research and Extension Centre, Bajaura, Kullu. Four priming levels of Zn (0% ZnSO4-water soaking, 1% ZnSO4, 2% ZnSO4 and 3% ZnSO4) and three priming durations (4 hours, 8 hours and 12 hours) were compared with basal dose of recommended NPK + ZnSO4 and farmers’ practice (absolute control). Seed priming with 0% ZnSO4 (water soaking) resulted in higher germination of pea and maize than other priming levels. Therefore, water soaking for a period of 12 hours may be used for enhancing emergence and better seedling growth in pea and maize crop. Most of the growth characters of pea crop were improved due to priming with 1% ZnSO4 for 12 hours, however such characters in maize crop were found to be better using 2% priming solution of ZnSO4 for a period of 12 hours. The yield of green peas, maize equivalent yield were maximum due to priming with 1% ZnSO4 for 12 hours duration, however, yield of maize grains was highest with treatment combination of 2% ZnSO4 priming for 12 hours duration. It may be concluded that priming of pea seeds for 12 hours with 1% ZnSO4 and that of maize seeds for 12 hours using 2% solution of ZnSO4 was useful for proper germination, better crop establishment and yields enhancement.