Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Seed Priming with Zinc and Boron on nutrient content and their Uptake

Aims: To study the effect of seed priming with zinc (Zn) and boron (B) on nutrient content and their uptake by maize crop. Study Design: Randomized block design. Place and Duration of Study: Field experiment at Research Farm, School of Agriculture, Abhilashi University, Chail Chowk, Mandi, (H.P.), during kharif for one year 2023. Methodology: The experiment was conducted with three replications and seven treatments. Results: The data revealed that the highest contents of N, P and K in grains and stover of maize and their uptake by grains, stover and total uptake by maize crop was recorded under treatment T7 (Seed priming with 0.1% borax), which was at par with treatment T3 (Seed priming with 0.5% ZnSO4).The highest zinc content in grains and stover of maize was recorded under treatment T4 (Seed priming with 1% ZnSO4), which was at par with T3 (Seed priming with 0.5% ZnSO4). While, the boron content in grains and stover of maize was highest in T7 (Seed priming with 0.1% borax) and it was at par with T5 (Seed priming with 0.01% borax) and T6 (Seed priming with 0.05% borax). Whereas, total uptake of zinc by grains, stover was recorded by T3 (Seed priming with 0.5% ZnSO4), which was at par with T4 (Seed priming with 1% ZnSO4). While, total uptake of boron by grains, stover by maize crop was maximum in T7 (Seed priming with 0.1% borax), which was significantly superior to all treatments. However, the minimum content of all these nutrients in grains, stover and their uptake by grains, stover and total uptake by maize crop was found under treatment T1 (Absolute control). Conclusion: This study showed that the different micronutrients and their seed priming has significantly affected the content of nutrients and their uptake by maize crop.