Enhancing maize (Zea mays L.) growth and yield through seed priming and micronutrient coating: effects on agronomic traits and soil nutrient deficiencies

This study investigates the effects of seed priming and micronutrient treatments on the growth and yield of maize, focusing on the single cross 704 cultivar in nutrient-deficient soils. A factorial arrangement within a randomized complete block design was employed, with treatments including hydroprimed and non-hydroprimed seeds coated with various combinations of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, FeZn, FeCu, ZnCu, and FeZnCu). Hydropriming involved soaking seeds in distilled water for 6 h, followed by air-drying, while seed coating used kaolinite clay and sugar beet molasses to apply micronutrients. Results revealed that hydroprimed seeds generally performed better across most measured traits, including fresh and dry weights of stem and leaves, number of leaves, and plant height, particularly when treated P-Zn. The combination of P-FeZnCu yielded the highest dry weights for stem and leaves, indicating a synergistic effect of these micronutrients. Non-primed seeds also showed positive responses, especially to NP-Fe, but overall performance was lower compared to primed seeds. Regression analysis highlighted the complex interactions between different micronutrient treatments. While some combinations, like Fe and Zn, exhibited significant positive effects, others, such as ZnCu and FeZnCu, demonstrated significant negative impacts, suggesting potential antagonistic interactions. These findings underscore the potential of seed priming and targeted micronutrient treatments to enhance maize growth and yield, particularly in soils with nutrient deficiencies. The study provides insights for optimizing agronomic practices and suggests that future research should focus on refining micronutrient combinations and concentrations to improve maize productivity in similar soil conditions.