IMPACT OF BIO-FERTILIZER SEED TREATMENT ON SEED AND SEEDLING PARAMETERS OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.)

Abstract

To study influence of inorganic nitrogen and seed treatment with Azospirillum on different seed quality parameters, four local cultivars of maize seed were treated with full inorganic nitrogen (T₁), half inorganic nitrogen with Azospirillum (T₂) and Azospirillum (T₃). Germination percentage for T₂ exhibited significant increase than T₁ and T₃. The fresh and dry weight of root and shoot was significantly high for T₂ followed by T₁ and than T₃. The vigour index was also found to be significantly high in T₂. When varieties were taken into account with regard to their response towards different treatments, V₃ responded best followed by V₂ and V₁ for the character germination percentage. Increased germination percentage, vigour index by treatment T₂ for different varieties of maize encourage use of low cost, ecofriendly Azospirillum seed treatment.