Germination of seeds and growth of seedling respond to seed priming as priming can guard the damage of salinity stress. A study conducted in the net house of the Department of Agronomy, BAU, Mymensingh during the period from November 2012 to April 2013 investigated the ameliorative effect of seed priming on seed germination and seedling attributes of maize under various salinity stress conditions. The experiment consisted of five seed priming and four salinity levels (NaCl) and laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. Seed germination and seedling attributes of maize varied due to salinity stress and priming. The highest seed germination (95.7%) was recorded when no stress was imposed under hydropriming (48 hours). The germination of seeds performed even well (92.3%) when treated with hydropriming (48 hours) and NaCl@0.25 dS
·m
-1 which was followed by hydropriming (24 hours) under no salinity imposed and NaCl@0.25 dS
·m
-1
salinity. Hydropriming for 48 hours without salt stress performed the best on number of leaves seedling
-1 (8), shoot length (28.2 cm), root length (14.5 cm), fresh weight (100.8 g) and dry weight of seedling (50.3 g). The germination and seedling growth parameters were reduced with the increase in salinity levels irrespective of priming while all seed priming treatments showed ameliorative effects. However, reduction in seed germination and seedling
attributes were minimal with hydropriming for 48 hours. The results revealed that priming of maize seeds could be used for amelioration of salinity stress and hydropriming for 48 hours appeared as the best seed priming treatment.
Maize (Zey mays L.) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. The average global production of maize in 2010 was 0.84 billion tones as compared to 0.696b tons of rice and 0.654 tons of wheat [1] . In Bangladesh, maize cultivated in about 376 thousand acres and total annual production is 887 thousand Mt with an average yield of 2.36 t acre−1 [2] . Every year, the acreage and production are increasing. Because of rising poultry industry in Bangladesh the demand for maize is going to increase very sharply as maize is an important constituent of poultry feed.
Soil salinity is one of the great concerns in arid and semi-arid regions in the world as well as in Bangladesh. According to studies, 7% of the world lands are saline and 3% is high saline, because of low precipitation, high evaporation and irrigation by saline waters, soil salinity is getting increased [3] . The most important problems for economic crop production in arid and semiarid regions are high concentration of ions especially NaCl either in soil or in irrigation water [4] . It is estimated that about one-third of world’s cultivated land is affected by salinity [5] . Development of methods to induce salt stress resistance and tolerance in plants is so important. Salt tolerance of plants can be increased by seed treatment with different osmotic solution (inorganic salts, sugars, growth regulators and polyethylene glycol) known as seed priming. Among different priming techniques (hydropriming, osmoconditioning, matripriming, etc.), seed acceleration (priming with plant growth regulators) has been shown to be much effective under both normal and stressed environments [6] [7] [8] [9] . The most important priming treatments are osmopriming and hydropriming. Osmopriming refers to soaking seed in solutions of sugars, polyethylene glycol (PEG), glycerol, sorbitol [10] or fertilizers such as urea [11] , followed by drying the seed before sowing. Hydropriming involves soaking of seed in water before sowing. Previous work [12] [13] [14] [15] suggest that the adverse and depressive effects of salinity and water stress on germination can be alleviated by various seed priming treatments. The salinity-tolerance of maize is very limited, and high-salt stress alters its growth responses [16] , especially in seedlings, which may be less tolerant to salt-stress than adults [17] . However, the abnormal effects of salinity stress on germination can be diminished by various seed priming agents [15] . Halo-priming of seeds in pre-sowing treatments in an osmotic solution allows seeds to absorb water, but restricts radicle occurrence through testa until the primed seeds are sown for germination under salt stress conditions. Primed seeds usually show improved germination parameters [18] . Although the effects of priming treatments on germination of some seed crops have been studied, but little information is available on the invigorating maize seed under salt stress. With these facts in mind, the present study was undertaken with the following objectives:
1) to assess the germination percentage and seedling attributes of maize under various levels of salinity stress;
2) to study the effect of seed priming on germination percentage and seedling attributes of maize under salinity stress.
2. Materials and Methods2.1. Experimental Design and Lay out
The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The experimental treatments consisted of different seed priming techniques under various levels of salinity stress as below (Table 1).
2.2. The Physical and Chemical Properties of the Soil
The soil samples (used in pot) were dried at room temperature mixed thoroughly, grinded, sieved with a 2 mm sieve and preserved in plastic containers for subsequent laboratory analysis. Bulk density was determined through volume basis. Texture, porosity and particle size were done though hydrometric, stochastic and sieving method, respectively. Particle size, bulk density, porosity and texture of the soil were 2.57, 1.42, 44.7 and silty loam, respectively (Table 2). Chemical properties of soil like pH, OM, total-N, P, K and S were determined through glass electrode pH meter method [19] , wet oxidation method [20] , kjeldahl method [19] , SnCl2 reduction method [21] , NH4OAC method [22] and turbidimetric method [23] , respectively. The pH, OM and total N, K of the soil were slightly acidic (5.8), low (1.3) and low (0.101), low (0.12), respectively, while P, S, Zn, B were above critical limit (Table 2).
2.3. Pot Preparation
The experiment was carried out in small plastic tray under natural light in the net house of the Department of Agronomy; BAU. The trays were filled by sand. The inert materials, visible insect pests and plant propagules were removed. Clean and dry plastic trays of 2 L were used for each treatment.
Treatments assigned in the study
Factor A: Seed priming
Factor B: Salinity level
I. No priming II. Hydro-priming for 24 hours III. Hydro-priming for 48 hours IV. Halo-priming for 48 hours (1% NaCl solution) V. Osmo-priming for 48 hours (2% sugar solution)
A. Control (without salinity) B. NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1 C. NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1 D. NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
The physical and chemical properties of initial soil
Constituents
Results
Constituents
Results
Particle size analysis
2.57
Soil pH
5.8
Bulk density (g/ce)
1.42
Organic matter (%)
1.30
Porosity (%)
44.7
Total nitrogen (%)
0.101
Sand (%) (0.0 - 0.02 mm)
21.75
Available phosphorus (ppm)
27
Silt (1%) (0.02 - 0.002 mm)
66.60
Exchangeable potassium (me/100 g soil)
0.12
Clay (%) (<0.002 mm)
11.65
Available Sulphur (S)
22.7
Soil textural class
Silty loam
Available Zn (mg∙kg−1)
0.85
Colour
Dark grey
Available B (mg∙kg−1)
0.16
Consistency
Grounder
2.4. Salinity Development
Salt solution was prepared artificially by dissolving calculated amount of commercially available NaCl with tap water to make 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 dS∙m−1 NaCl solution. The salt solution was applied as per treatment specification. Similar moisture content of each tray was maintained by adding water every day.
2.5. Priming Techniques (Seed Priming)
Required number of maize seeds were soaked in distilled but cool water for 0 hours, hydro-priming 24 hours, hydro-priming 48 hours, halo-priming 48 hours (1% NaCl solution), osmo-priming 48 hours (2% sugar solution) at around room temperature as per treatments. After priming seeds in water then taken out and water at seed surface was wiped out. Twenty five seeds were sown in each tray for seedling emergence.
2.6. Fertilization
All fertilizers used (urea, TSP, MoP, Gypsum, Zinc sulphate and Boric acid) according to requirement on soil test basis using fertilizer recommendation guide 2005 [24] .
2.7. Data Collection and Analysis
The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for various crop characters and also were done following the principle of F-statistics. Mean comparison of the treatments were adjudged by the Duncan’s Multiple Range Test [25] .
3. Results and Discussion3.1. Effect of Seed Priming and Salinity Stress on Seed Germination
Seed germination percentage varied due to seed priming treatments and various salinity stress levels showed significant difference (Table 3). The maximal
Effect of seed priming and level of salinity stress on percentage of seed germination of maize
Seed priming
Salinity level
Germination (%)
No priming
No salt
72.0 d
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
41.7 g
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
19.3 h
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
0.00 i
Hydropriming 24 hrs
No salt
85.7 b
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
78.3 c
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
51.7 f
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
0.00 i
Hydropriming 48 hrs
No salt
95.7 a
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
92.3 a
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
82.0 bc
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
15.3 h
Halo priming 48 hrs
No salt
79.0 c
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
52.7 f
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
42.3 g
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
0.00 i
Osmopriming 48 hrs
No salt
70.0 d
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
64.0 e
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
39.3 g
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
0.00i
LSD0.05
4.91
Level of significance
**
CV (%)
3.45
** = significant at 1% level of probability. In a column figures followed by same letter(s) are statistically identical as per DMRT at 5% and dissimilar letter(s) showed significant different among them.
percentage of seed germination (95.7%) was found in hydro-priming for 48 hrs without salinity stress while statistically similar percentage of seed germination (92.33%) was obtained with similar priming in 0.25 dS∙m−1 salinity stress level. Hydro-priming of seeds for 48 hrs also gave substantial seed germination (82%) at 0.5 dS∙m−1 salinity level, which was much higher than any other priming technique at the same salinity level. Hydro-priming for 24 hrs also performed better in seed germination under salinity stress of 25 and 0.5 dS∙m−1 NaCl. Halo-priming and osmo-priming were also superior in seed germination under salinity stress compared to that of no priming treatment. However, at 1.0 dS∙m−1 salinity stress, no seed priming except hydro-priming for 48 hrs was capable of giving seed germination (Table 3). These results revealed that all seed priming techniques positively ameliorate salinity stress in terms of seed germination. [26] reported that the effects of seed priming on seed germination of maize under different salt concentration were significant. Seed priming compensated the negative effects of salinity on seed germination.
In a column figures followed by same letter(s) are statistically identical as per DMRT at 5% and dissimilar letter(s) showed significant different among them.
3.2. Effect of Seed Priming and Salinity Stress on Number of Leaves Seedling<sup>-1</sup>
Number of leaves seedling-1 showed significant variation due to seed priming techniques and salinity stress levels at seedling stage of maize (Table 4). The maximal number of leaves seedling-1 (8.0) was found due to hydro-priming for 48 hrs without salinity stress (without NaCl), while without salinity stress of hydro-priming for 24 hrs also produced statistically identical maximal leaves seedling-1 (7.0). On the other hand, without priming but applying salinity stress level of 0.5 dS∙m−1 NaCl and hydro-priming for 48 hrs in salinity stress level of 1.0 dS∙m−1 NaCl produced similar number of leaves seedling-1 (1.33), while all priming techniques except hydro-priming for 48 hrs in salinity stress level of 1.0 dS∙m−1NaCl did not produce any leaves during the study. This might be due to failure to germinate any seedling under the high level of salinity stress. These results reveal that leaf production significantly decreased in increasing salinity level at each priming technique. Similar result was also obtained by [26] where they found that leaves plant-1 was significantly affected by the effect of seed priming techniques under various salinity (NaCl) levels.
3.3. Effect of Seed Priming and Salinity Stress on Shoot Length
Shoot length varied due to seed priming treatments and various salinity levels in this study at seedling stage (Table 4). The longest shoot (28.2 cm) was recorded in treatment of without salinity stress and hydro-priming for 48 hrs which was statistically different from other all interaction treatments. On the other hand, salinity stress of NaCl @ 1.0 dS∙m−1 in hydro-priming for 48 hrs produced significantly the shortest shoot (1.0 cm) at seedlings stage. The similar result was also obtained by [27] who found that the hydro-priming and KNO3 produced significantly the greatest shoot length (19.5 cm). Thus, maize see dS∙may be treated with KNO3 (0.2%) and hydropriming + thiram (0.25%) to enhance seed quality and stand establishment in the field. [28] also found similar result regarding to shoot length in case of the higher length of shoot of maize (14.7 cm) was found in seeds primed with 1% KH2PO4 for 6 h which was higher than other treatments.
3.4. Effect of Seed Priming and Salinity Stress on Length of Root
A significant variation was found due to combined effect between seed priming and salinity level in respect of root length (Table 4). Among the combined
Effect of seed priming and salinity level on numbers of leaves seedlings<sup>−1</sup>, shoot length, root length, fresh and dry weight of maize seedlings
Seed priming
Salinity level
No. of leaves seedling−1
Shoot length (cm)
Root length (cm)
Fresh weight (g∙seedling−1)
Dry weight (g∙seedling−1)
No priming
No salt
2.67 f
16.18 c
9.22 d
62.01 d
28.3 e
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
2.67 f
9.28 f
4.81 h
54.0 e
16.2 h
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
1.33 g
5.68 g
1.97 j
40.9 fg
8.90 i
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
0.00 h
0.00 h
0.00
0.00 j
0.00 j
Hydropriming 24 hours
No salt
7.00 a
21.16 b
12.51 b
99.0 a
37.0 c
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
5.67 bc
14.12 d
8.80 f
71.3 c
24.7 f
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
4.00 ef
11.31ef
4.93 h
40.2g
19.8 g
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
0.00 g
0.00 h
0.00
0.00 j
0.00 j
Hydropriming 48 hours
No salt
8.00 a
28.23 a
14.45 a
100.8 a
50.3 a
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
5.00 bc
23.00 b
9.80 d
70.2 c
40.3 b
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
3.00 ef
17.01c
5.71 j
45.2 f
30.6 d
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
1.33 g
1.00 h
1.37 k
6.78 i
1.76 j
Halopriming 48 hours
No salt
4.67 bcd
18.2 c
10.80 c
86.9 b
31.9 d
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
4.33 cd
13.2 de
5.52 g
60.4 d
23.1 f
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
3.67 def
9.44 f
3.91 i
40.92 fg
16.5 h
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
0.00 h
0.00 h
0.00
0.00 j
0.00 j
Osmopriming 48 hours
No salt
4.67 bcd
17.8 c
9.60 de
89.8 b
31.2 d
NaCl 0.25 dS∙m−1
4.33 cd
14.2 d
4.96 h
59.08 d
25.1 f
NaCl 0.5 dS∙m−1
4.00 cde
10.5 f
2.34 j
31.44 h
19.6 g
NaCl 1.0 dS∙m−1
0.00 h
8.0 h
0.00
0.00 j
0.00 j
LSD0.05
1.19
1.93
0.39
4.34
1.99
Level of significance
**
**
**
**
**
CV (%)
5.53
10.2
4.31
5.49
5.95
**= significant at 1% level of probability. In a column figures followed by same letter(s) are statistically identical as per DMRT at 5% and dissimilar letter(s) showed significant different among them.
treatments, the longest root of maize was found in hydro-priming for both 24 and 48 hrs without salinity stress (46.16 and 45.68 cm, respectively) while the seeds of hydro-priming for 48 hrs grown under salinity stress level of 1.0 dS∙m−1 NaCl produced significantly the shortest root (3.17 cm) which was statistically different from all other interactions.
On the other hand, no priming, hydro-priming for 24 hrs, halo-priming for 48 hrs and osmo-priming for 48 hrs did not show any seedling due to unableness to germinate under salinity stress of 1.0 dS∙m−1 NaCl. The findings of the present study are similar to that of [29] . They reported that saline water (6.0 dS∙m-1) and subsequent exposure to salinity stress had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on root length where root length significantly decreased with the increasing salinity stresses. These results suggest that priming seeds of maize with NaCl before sowing induced physiological and biochemical changes, which resulted in better performance when subsequently exposed to different levels of salinity.
3.5. Effect of Seed Priming and Salinity Stress on Fresh and Dry Weight of Seedling
A significant variation was also observed regarding fresh and dry weight of seedling at 14 DAS due to seed priming and salinity levels (Table 4). It is evident that the highest weight of fresh and dry seedling (100.8 and 50.3 g seedling-1) was found in interaction of hydro-priming and without salinity stress level while statistically identical fresh weight of seedling (99.00 g seedling-1) was obtained by the interaction of the similar priming for 24 hrs and similar (without salinity) salinity stress. However, hydro-priming for 48 hrs under salinity stress level of 1.0 dS∙m−1 NaCl recorded the lowest weight of fresh and dry seedling (6.78 and 1.76 g seedling-1). Any other seed priming did not produce any seedling at salinity stress level of 1.0 dS∙m−1 NaCl. [27] reported that maize seeds treated with KNO3 (0.2%) and hydropriming + thiram (0.25%) to enhance seed quality and stand establishment in the field. [30] also found that maximal seedling dry weight (0.61 g) was observed in seeds primed with Na2S2O3.Similarly, [31] also found significant variation in seedling dry weight of maize due to seed priming and salinity effect.
4. Conclusions
Hydro-priming of maize seeds for 48 hrs had highly significant influence for better germination and superior performance of various seedlings attributes at 14 DAS. On the other hand, salinity stress exerted negative effect on seed germination and seedling attributes of maize. Hydro-priming of maize seeds for 48 hrs was effective in ameliorating salinity stress, especially at level up to 50 dS∙m−1 NaCl. So, it is suggested that hydro-priming for 48 hrs would be highly effective seed priming techniques for amelioration of salinity stress in maize.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank technical staffs, laboratory attendants and labours of the laboratory of Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh. The authors also thank Bangladesh Agricultural University for the financial support in conducting the research.
Conflicts of Interest
The manuscript authors hereby profess that there are no conflicts of interest for any reasons, such as personal, institutional and financial relationships, academic competition, or intellectual passion. Gender issues were also avoided in publishing this manuscript.
Cite this paper
Akter, L., Fakir, O.A., Alam, M.K., Ul Islam, M., Chakraborti, P., Alam, M.J., Rashid, M.H., Begum, M. and Kader, M.A. (2018) Amelioration of Salinity Stress in Maize Seed Germination and Seedling Growth Attributes through Seed Priming. Open Journal of Soil Science, 8, 137-146. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojss.2018.85011
ReferencesFAO (Food and Agricultural Organization) (2012) Production Report of Agricultural Crop (2010). http://faostat.fao.org/site/339/default.aspxBBS (2012) Annual Agricultural Statistics (2009-10) Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistic Division, Ministry of Planning, Government People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, p. 37.Teimouri A., Jafari M. and Azarnivand H. ,et al. (2009)Effect of Proline, Soluble Carbohydrates and Water Potential on Resistance to Salinity of Three Salsola Species Desert 14, 15-20.Moeinrad H. ,et al. (2008)The Relationship between Some Physiological Traits and Salt Tolerance in Pistachiogenotypes Desert 13, 129-136.Kaye, J.Z. and Baross, J.A. (2004) Synchronous Effects of Temperature, Hydrostatic Pressure, and Salinity on Growth, Phospholipid Profiles, and Protein Patterns of four Halomonas Species Isolated from Deep-Sea Hydrothermal-Vent and Sea Surface Environment. Applied Environmental Microbiology, 70, 6220-6229. https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.70.10.6220-6229.2004Iqbal, M. and Ashraf, M. (2007) Seed Treatment with Auxins Modulates Growth and Ion Partitioning in Salt-stressed Wheat Plants. Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 49, 1003-1015. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1672-9072.2007.00488.xIqbal, M. and Ashraf, M. (2010) Changes in Hormonal Balance: A possible Mechanism of Pre-sowing Chilling-Induced Salt Tolerance in Spring Wheat. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 196, 440-454. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-037X.2010.00434.xMahmood, T., Iqbal N., Raza H., Qasim M. and Ashraf M.Y. (2010) Growth Modulation and Ion Partitioning in Salt Stressed Sorghum (Sorghum bicolour L.) by Exogenously Supply of Salicylic Acid. Pakistan Journal Botany, 42, 3047-3054.Rafique N., Raza H. Qasim, M. and Iqbal N. ,et al. (2011)Pre-Sowing Application of Ascorbic Acid and Salicylic Acid to Seed of Pumpkin and Seedling Response to Salt Pakistan Journal of Botany 43, 2677-2682.Ashraf, M. and Foolad, M.R. (2005) Pre-sowing Seed Treatment—A Shotgun Approach to Improve Germination Growth and Crop Yield under Saline and Non-Saline Conditions. Advanced Agronomy, 88, 223-271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2113(05)88006-XAl Mudaris, M.A. and Jutzi, S.C. (1999) The Influence of Fertilizer-Based Seed Priming Treatments on Emergence and Seedling Growth of Sorghum bicolor and Pennisetum glaucum in Pot Trials under Greenhouse Conditions. Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 182, 135-142. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-037x.1999.00293.xAfzal, I., Shahzad M., Ahmad, B.N. and Ahmad M.F. (2005) Optimization of Hormonal Priming Techniques for Alleviation of Salinity Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Caderno de Pesquisa Sér. Bio., Santa Cruz do Sul, 17, 95-109.Ashraf, M. and Rauf, H. (2001) Inducing Salt Tolerance in Maize Zea mays (L.) through Seed Priming with Chloride Salts: Growth and Ion Transport at Early Growth Stages. Acta Physiology Plantarum, 23, 407-414. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-001-0050-9Basra S.M.A., Farooq M., Afzal I. and Hussain M. ,et al. (2006)Influence of Osmo-Priming on the Germination and Early Seedling Growth of Coarse and Fine Rice International Journal of Agricultural Biology 8, 19-22.Roy, N.K. and Srivastava, A.K. (2000) Adverse Effect of Salt-Stress Conditions on Chlorophyll Contentin Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Leaves and Its Amelioration through Pre-Soaking Treatments. Indian Journal of Agricultural Science, 70, 777-778.Chartzoulakis, K. and Klapaki, G. (2000) Response of Two Greenhouse Pepper Hybrids to NaCl Salinity during Different Growth Stages. Scientia Horticulturae, 86, 247-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4238(00)00151-5Geraldine, L.D. and Donovan, L.A. (1999) Water Potential and Ionic Effects on Germination and Seedling Growth of Two Cold Desert Shrubs. American Journal of Botany, 86, 1146-1153. https://doi.org/10.2307/2656978Hardegree, S.P. and Van Vactor, S.S. (2000) Germination and Emergence of Primed Grass Seeds under Field and Simulated-Field Temperature Regimes. Annals of Botany, 85, 379-390. https://doi.org/10.1006/anbo.1999.1076Jackson, M.L. (1962) Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice-Hall Inc., New York.Walkley, A. and Black, I.A. (1934) An Examination of Degtjareff Method for Determining Soil Organic Matter and a Proposed Modification of the Chromic Acid Titration Method. Soil Science, 37, 29-37. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-193401000-00003Black, C.A. (1965) Method of Soil Analysis Part-I and II. American Society of Agronomy Inc. Madison, Wiscosin, 770.Hanlon, E.A. and Johnson, G.V. (1984) Bray/Kurtz, Mehlich ill, AB/D and Ammonium Acetate Extraction of P, K, and Mg in Four Oklahoma Soils. Communication of Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 15, 277-294. https://doi.org/10.1080/00103628409367475Sperber I. ,et al. (1948)A Direct Turbidimetric Method for Determining Eitheral Sulfates in Urine Journal of Biological Chemistry 172, 441-444.BARC (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council) (2005) Fertilizer Recommended Guide, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), Farm gate, Dhaka, Bangladesh.Gomez, K.A. and Gomez, A.A. (1984) Statistical Procedure for Agricultural Research (2nd edition), International Rice Research Institute. A Willey International Science Publication, 28-192.Farahbakhsh, H. and Saiid, M.S. (2011) Effect of Seed Priming with NaCl on Maize Germination under Different Saline Conditions. African Journal Agricultural Research, 28, 6095-6099. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR11.995Hanegave, A.S., Ravi, H., Nadaf, H.L., Biradarpatil, N.K. and Uppar, D.S. (2011) Effect of Seed Priming on Seed Quality of Maize (Zea mays L.). Karnataka Journal Agricultural Science, 24, 237-238.Sathish, S. and Sundareswaran, S. (2010) Standardization of Seed Priming Technique in Maize Hybrid COH (M) 5. Madras Agricultural Journal, 97, 315-318.Bakht, J., Shafi, M., Jamal, Y. and Sher, H. (2011) Response of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Seed Priming with NaCl and Salinity Stress. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 9, 252-261.Jehan, B., Mohammad, S., Rahmath, S. and Iqbal, M. (2011) Response of Maize Cultivars to Various Priming Sources. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 43, 205-212.Sokht, A.R.R. and Ramezani, M.R. (2012) The Physiological Effects on Some Traits of Osmo-priming Germination of Maize (Zea mays L.), Rice (Oryza sativa L.) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). International Journal of Biology, 4, 132-148.