Effects of Seed Priming, Planting Density and Row Spacing on Seedling Emergence and Some Phenological Indices of Corn (Zea mays L.)

摘要

The study investigated the effects of seed priming, planting density and row spacing on seedling emergence and some phenological indices of corn by using a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design with three replications. It was conducted at the Agricultural Research Farm of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran during the 2010-2011 crop growing season. The factors included row spacing at two levels [75 cm (conventional) and 50 cm], planting density at three levels [66,666 plants he (conventional), 83,333 plants ha(-1) (a 1.25-fold increase) and 99,999 plants he(-1) (a 1.5-fold increase)] and seed priming at three levels [control (unprimed), hydropriming and priming with HB-101 (a natural plant extract)]. Results indicated that time to seedling emergence, canopy closure, tasselling and maturity of corn were significantly shortened by seed priming. Corn canopy closure, tasselling and maturity were hastened in response to increasing planting density. Reduction in row spacing resulted in earlier canopy closure and delayed tassel appearance. The percentage and the rate of corn seedling emergence were significantly improved by seed priming. However, row spacing or planting density had no significant effect on these traits. Compared with the control, both seed priming treatments also improved seed yield although the improvement was only significant for HB-101. In all planting densities, the higher seed yields occurred at the reduced row spacing (50 cm). However, the highest seed yield was obtained at row spacing of 50 cm and planting density of 83,333 plants ha(-1).