Effect of seed priming on yield and economics of rainfed maize-pea sequence under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

A 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 (31°84´ N latitude and 77°16´ E longitude). 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, stover yield, net returns and B:C were maximum due to priming with 1% ZnSO4 for 12 hours duration, however, maize grain, stover yield, net returns and B:C were highest with treatment combination of 2% ZnSO4 priming for 12 hours duration. In nutshell, it may be concluded that priming of pea seeds for 12 hours with 1% ZnSO4 and that of maize seeds for 12 hours using 2% solution of ZnSO4 may be useful for yield, net returns and B:C ratio.