Effects of Seed Priming and Different Levels of Urea on Yield and Yield Component of Two Corn (Zea mays) Hybrids

Authors

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effects of seed priming and different levels of nitrogen on yield and yield components of two corn (Zea mays) hybrids, an experiment was carried out as split plot factorial based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications in Agricultural Research Station of Shahrood University of Technology. The treatments were urea levels (150, 250, 350 kg/ha) as main factor and seed priming (primed and non-primed) and corn hybrids (SC704, KOSS444) as sub- plots. The results showed that seed yield, number of row per ear, number of seed per row, 1000- seed weight, ear length, ear diameter traits for primed seed of SC704 hybrid were maximum. Urea levels significantly affected yield and yield components and 350 Kg/ha urea produced maximum yield. Number of seed row per ear was maximum at primed seed at all urea levels. Maximum and minimum number of seed per row obtained from primed seed of S.C704 hybrid at 350 Kg/ha urea level and non-primed seed of KOSS444 hybrid at 150 Kg/ha urea level, respectively. Higher levels of urea increased 1000-seed weight in both hybrids and SC704 hybrid at 350 Kg/ha urea level produced maximum 1000-seed weight. Generally, priming improved yield and yield components of hybrids and SC704 was better than KOSS444.

Keywords