Effect of seed priming with zinc sulfate on yield and quality parameters of rainfed maize-pea sequence under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

In order to evaluate the effect of seed priming with zinc sulfate on yield and quality parameters of rainfed maize-pea sequence under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh, an experiment was conducted under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh. The study was carried out for two years (2014-15 and 2015-16) at the experimental farm of Hill Agricultural Research and Extension Centre, Bajaura, Kullu. Four priming levels of Zn (0% ZnSO4-water soaking, 1% ZnSO4, 2% ZnSO4 and 3% ZnSO4) and three priming durations (4 hours, 8 hours and 12 hours) were compared with basal dose of recommended NPK + ZnSO4 and farmers’ practice (absolute control). The yield of green peas, maize equivalent yield were maximum due to priming with 1% ZnSO4 for 12 hours duration, however, yield of maize grains was highest with treatment combination of 2% ZnSO4 priming for 12 hours duration. Whereas, the quality of fresh pea pods (TSS) and protein content of pea and maize grains were not influenced due to treatments.