Effect of on Farm Seed Priming and Application Methods of Zinc Sulfate Fertilizer on Some Growth Indices of Two Corn Cultivars in Hamedan

To evaluate the effect of on-farm seed priming and methods of zinc sulfate application on some growth indices of two corn cultivars, an experiment was conducted as factorial in a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Farm of Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran. First factor was method of zinc sulfate application containing four levels of no-application, broadcasting in soil, banding and foliar application. Second factor included on farm primed and non primed seeds and third factor consisted of two corn cultivars (Es-sensor and Biaris). Results showed that seed priming with zinc sulfate foliar application increased maximum of leaf area index up to 4.5 that was 48% higher than non primed and no zinc sulfate treatment. In cultivar Biaris bandig application of zinc sulfate and in Es-sensor both of seed priming and zinc sulfate foliar application led to the highest maximum dry matter production. In general for cultivar Biaris banding or foliar application of zinc sulfate especially after seed priming was necessary to maximize the dry matter production by increasing crop growth, net assimilation and relative growth rates. Crop growth rate in cultivar Biaris and relative growth rate in both cultivars were more affected by zinc sulfate application methods. Net assimilation rate in non primed condition was greater in both corn cultivars when subjected to banding application of zinc sulfate but in on farm primed treatment the net assimilation rate was greater when zinc sulfate was sprayed in foliar feeding treatment. Seed priming and foliar application of zinc sulfate increased the SPAD values by 6.2 and 30.5% respectively.