Impact of Nutrient Seed Priming on Germination, Seedling Development, Nutritional Status and Grain Yield of Maize

Effects of seed priming with zinc (Zn) plus manganese (Mn), boron (B), and phosphate (P) on growth and nutritional status of maize were studied. Nutrient seed priming significantly increased seed contents of primed nutrients. In nutrient solution (NS) lacking Zn and Mn, growth of maize plants primed with Zn + Mn increased by more than 50% and 100%, respectively, as compared to control treatment. The primed nutrients were efficiently translocated to the growing shoot and could maintain Zn and Mn supply for at least three weeks of the culture period. In soil culture, plants suffered from P and Zn deficiency, which was mitigated to some extent by P and Zn + Mn priming. Particularly, translocation of Zn seed reserves to the shoot tissue was negatively affected by the highly calcareous soil. In the field experiment, Zn + Mn seed priming increased grain yield by 15%, demonstrating the potential for long-lasting effects of nutrient seed priming.