Effects of Seed Hydropriming and Planting Method on Yield and Yield Components of Corn under Deficit Irrigation Conditions

To evaluate the effect of seed hydropriming, planting method and deficit irrigation on the yield of corn (cv. KSC 704), an experiment was conducted in a factorial based on a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications during 2015–16 at the Agricultural Research Station of Islamabad, Kermanshah, Iran. The experimental factors consisted of seed priming in two levels (no primed and hydropriming) and planting methods in two levels (on-ridge and in-furrow) in three irrigation environments (supplying 100, 85 and 70% of the crop water requirement). The results of the analysis of variance showed that the effects of year, irrigation and seed priming on grain yield were significant (p≤0.01), whereas the effect of planting method was not significant. Interaction of irrigation regime × seed priming × cultivar on grain yield was significant (p≤0.05) and the highest value of this trait (13.289 t ha-1) was obtained by seed hydropriming and planting in-furrow and supplying 100% of the crop water requirement. Grain yield in seed hydropriming treatment was 10.973 t ha-1 (about 650 kg ha-1 more than no primed treatment). According to the results, it is recommended that farmers increase grain yield of corn by seed hydropriming and in-furrow planting.