Effect of on farm seed priming and application methods of zinc sulfate fertilizer on emergence characteristics, yield and yield components of two corn hybrids in Hamedan

To evaluate the effect of on-farm seed priming and methods of zinc sulfate application on seed emergence properties, yield and yield components of two corn cultivars, an experiment was conducted as factorial in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2012 at research farm of Bu-Ali Sina university, Hamedan. First factor was methods of zinc sulfate application containing four levels of no-application, broadcasting in soil, banding and foliar application. Second factor included on farm primed and no primed seeds and third factor consisted of two corn hybrids (Es-sensor and Biaris). Analysis of variance showed that percentage and rate of emergence of on farm primed seeds increased about 16 and 12% respectively also emergence uniformity coefficient in primed seed while banding zinc sulfate comparing with no-primed seed and broadcasting zinc sulfate showed 74% increase. In Biaris cultivar priming increased significantly the number of kernel per ear. In two cultivars the highest 100 seeds weight was achieved of primed seed plus banding or foliar zinc sulfate application. In this study the highest grain yield was obtained of primed Biaris seed cultivar combined with zinc sulfate banding application (1370.42 g/m2) that was higher about 9.6% comparing with no-primed and no zinc sulfate treatment.