EFFECT OF SEED TREATMENT WITH NANO PARTICLES ON PLANTING VALUE AND STORABILITY PARAMETERS OF MAIZE SEED (Zea mays L.)
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Date
2023
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RPCAU, Pusa
Abstract
Maize belongs to grass family having highest yield potential among cereals. Productivity of rabi Maize is highest in Bihar. Further increasing the productivity is needed for catering to the need of rapidly growing population and shrinking cultivable land. Quality seed is a major input determining productivity of crops. Various methods to enhance the planting value of seeds are being investigated. Use of nanoparticles in producing quality enhanced seeds with high vigour is gaining importance during these advanced agriculture era and various programs of GoI is dedicated to explore the possibilities of use of nanotechnology in agriculture. Therefore, our investigation was focused on effect of various nanoparticles; ZnO, SiO2 and TiO2 on seed quality and yield attributing traits in maize. The experiment was conducted at Dholi Kothi farm, in split-split plot design with three replications, during rabi 2022-23. Seeds were subjected to treatments with two forms of various particles (Bulk & Nano) with two types of formulations (Dry and Wet) at 5 concentrations (50, 100, 250, 500, 750 ppm) along with two controls (Untreated &Bavistin treatment). The seeds were analyzed for seed quality attributes in laboratory and were also sown in the field for studying the effect on field emergence, growth and yield attributes. The results revealed that, seeds treated with Nano-Dry formulation of ZnO@ 250 ppm, took least time for radicle emergence (68.9 hrs.), showed highest germination percentage (86.8), average seedling length (30.0cm), average seedling dry weight (0.445g), vigour index I, vigour index II, field emergence (79.9%), final plant stand establishment (73.9%), plant height (125.9cm), Cob length (14.4cm), cob girth (5.02cm), seeds per cob (197.3) and highest dehydrogenase activity (0.963A485 nm). Results of the experiments indicate that treatment with various nanoparticles may be helpful in increasing the productivity of different crops by enhancing the seed quality, which results in vigorous seed germination, higher field emergence and ultimately a better plant stand. Prominent effect on yield attributing traits was not observed in our study.