Abstract

                                A field experiment was conducted at College of Agricultural Technology, Kullapuram - Theni during 2016-2017 on “Effect of different seed treatment on grain yield of maize under drought conditions”. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design with seven treatments and replicated thrice. The result revealed that among the seed enhancement treatments, seed treated with ZnSO4 (2 %) recorded highest plant height (154.97 cm) at 90 DAS. The higher grain yield belonged to ZnSO4 (2%) (2880 kg ha-1) (8.5% yield increase over control). The seed quality parameters like seed germination (98.71 %), mean seedling length (34.64 cm), mean seedling dry weight (84.74 mg), SVI-I and II (3420 and 8420) were also highest, followed by seed treatment with spent wash (20%)that along with the application of recommended dose of fertilizer increased all growth and yield attributes. The study showed that zinc sulfate can reduce the negative effects of drought stress on grain yield and its components.

Key words : ZnSO4, KH2PO4, Vermi wash, Spent wash, KCI..