Grain Yield and Seed Quality Attributes of Maize Grown Under Different Zinc Sulphate Application Techniques in Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Optimizing crop yield is a function of the effectiveness of agronomic practices, inherent crop quality in relation with favourable environmental condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the grain yield and seed quality attributes of maize (Zea mays L) grown under different zinc sulphate application techniques in Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. The treatment consisted of two maize varieties (V); (BR9928DMR-SR-Y and ILE-1-OB), six zinc application methods (T); [seed primed in distilled water (S1), 1% (S2) and 2.0 % (S3) of ZnSO4, 1% ZnSO4 foliar spray (S4), soil placed ZnSO4 (S5) (7.0 kg ha^-1) and the control (S6-farmer’s practice)].  At harvest, data were collected on grain yield (GY, Kg ha^-1), germination index (GI) and seed conductivity (SC). From the result, the T and V differed significantly (P<0.01). The S1 (4.58) and S2 (4.73) plots had the highest GY but lowest in S6 (2.20), while variety BR9928DMR-SR had higher GY (4.04) than ILE-1-OB (2.77). The T and V differed significantly (P<0.05) for GI (P<0.01), for SC, T varied (P<0.01), V (P<0.05). Earliest GI of 4.42 days were observed in seeds of S2 plots than seeds of other treatments. Seed conductivity was highest in S3 (10.74), but lowest in S6. Priming maize seed in distilled water or 1% ZnSO4 significantly enhanced grain yield and seed quality of maize in this study.