Seed priming with zinc improves field performance of maize hybrids grown on calcareous chernozem

Authors

  • Gordana Tamindžić Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6808-0129
  • Maja Ignjatov Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad
  • Dragana Milošević Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad
  • Zorica Nikolić Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9333-6958
  • Ljiljana Kostić Kravljanac Plant Nutrition Research Group, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade
  • Dušica Jovičić Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad
  • Željko Dolijanović Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Belgrade https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9224-3274
  • Jasna Savić Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Belgrade https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1752-7234

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2021.1795

Keywords:

Microelement, grain yield, zinc concentration.

Abstract

Delivery of micronutrients to plants through seed priming improves seedling vigour and increases crops yields. Two-year filed trial was conducted in PanÄevo, Serbia, with aim to study the effect of seed priming with zinc (Zn) on field performance of three maize hybrids on calcareous chernozem deficient in plant available Zn. Seed priming treatments were: control (without priming), water priming and priming with 4 mM zinc sulphate water solution. Seed priming had significant effect on early plant growth, plant height, yield components, grain yield and grain Zn concentration. Zn-priming promoted plant growth and increased final plant height. Across two growing seasons with contrasting precipitation and three tested maize hybrids, Zn-priming resulted in an average increase of grain yield by about 18% compared to control, and by about 8.4% compared to water priming. A significant relationship between plant growth parameters, grain yield components and grain yield was detected. Grain Zn concentration was increased by Zn-priming in two hybrids in the season with less precipitation and in one hybrid in the second season. The results imply that using the seeds with elevated Zn content can improve overall field performance of maize grown on calcareous chernozem.

Highlights
- Seed priming with Zn resulted in an average increase of maize grain yield by about 18% compared to control, and by about 8.4% compared to water priming.
- Zn-priming promoted plant growth and increased final plant height of three maize hybrids.
- Overall experiment plant growth parameters were correlated with grain yield components and grain yield.
- Overall effect of seed priming on grain Zn concentration was significant, but it was increased by Zn-priming in two hybrids.
- Using the seeds with elevated Zn content can improve overall field performance of maize grown on calcareous chernozem.

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Published

11-05-2021

How to Cite

Tamindžić, G., Ignjatov, M. ., Milošević, D., Nikolić, Z., Kostić Kravljanac, L. ., Jovičić, D., Dolijanović, Željko, & Savić, J. (2021). Seed priming with zinc improves field performance of maize hybrids grown on calcareous chernozem. Italian Journal of Agronomy, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.4081/ija.2021.1795

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2021)

Section

Original Articles

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