Abstract

An investigation was carried out with COH(M) 5 maize hybrid seed to standardize seed biopriming with liquid biofertilizers (Azospirillum and phosphobacteria). To optimize the concentration and duration of biopriming, seeds were bioprimed with liquid biofertilizers such as Azospirillum and phosphobacteria (Concentration: 10, 15, and 20%; Duration: 6, 12, 18, and 24 h)The seeds were also hydroprimed for 12, 24, 36, and 48 h for standardization. The nonprimed seed formed the control. Biopriming with liquid Azospirillum 20% concentration for 12 h expressed high values for all the parameters studied namely speed of germination, germination, rootlength, shoot length, dry matter production, total dry matter production and vigour index (G × SL) which accounted for 82, 20, 26, 24, 28, 58, and 59% increase over nonprimed seed. Phosphobacteria 20% concentration biopriming for 12 h was found to improve the speed of germination, germination, root length, shoot length, dry matter production, total dry matter production and vigour index (G × SL). The increases over nonprimed seed for these parameters were 35, 12, 34, 61, 66 and 62%.

Key words: Biopriming, liquid biofertilizers, Azospirillum, phosphobacteria, germination, vigour.