E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development
E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development Vol. 3 (3) pp. 035-041, May 2013; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9897
Seed Germination, Emergence and Seedling Vigor of Maize as Influenced by Pre-Sowing Fungicides Seed Treatment
Wondimeneh Taye 1 * , Fanuel Laekemariam 1 , Gifole Gidago 11 Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Plant Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, P.O box 138, Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author E-mail: wondimeneh2008@gmail.com
Accepted 6 December 2012
Abstract
Effect of pre-sowing fungicides seed treatment on seed germination, emergence and seedling vigor in maize (Zea mays L.) was evaluated at Wolaita Sodo University in 2011. The objectives of the experiment were to evaluate the effect of chemical seed treatment on germination, emergence and seedling vigor of maize under laboratory and field condition and to identify effective fungicides used for pre sowing seed treatment of maize. Four treatments (three fungicides and one untreated) ridomil, mancozeb and metalaxil at a rate of 2.5 gm/kg of seeds was used. A Completely Randomized Design was used for the laboratory experiments whereas for pot and field experiments a Randomized Complete Block Design was used. The number of replications for both experiments was four. Maize variety BH540 was used. The tested fungicides enhanced the germination of maize seeds as compare to untreated whereas, in pot trial the tested fungicides significantly affected the emergence date, fresh root and shoot weight and shoot dry weight but had no significant effect on seedling height and average leaf number. In the field experiment, the tested fungicides improved the seedling height, average leaf number, fresh and dry weight of maize seedling as compared to untreated control. In all the three experiments, metalaxil showed better effect among the tested fungicides.
Keywords: Fungicides, Pre-sowing, seed treatment, ridomil, mancozeb, metalaxil
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