Impact of Seed Treatments and Packaging Materials on Seedling Growth Parameters Among the Maize Genotypes (Zea mays L).

The present investigation was undertaken with the objectives to determine the effect of packaging materials and seed treatments on vigour during storage in three different maize genotypes. The three genotypes viz. AAIMS-1, AAIMS-2 and Meerut Peele were equally divided into 4 lots of 1000 gm each and treated with thiram @ 2g/kg seed, malathion @ 2g/kg seed, neem cake @ 10g/kg seed along with control (untreated). After the treatment, the samples were stored in three different types of packaging materials viz. polythene bags, cloth bags and aluminium foil bag and kept at room temperature for a period 6 (Six) months with 12% seed moisture content. The characters studied were seed germination, shoot length, root length and seed vigour index The charaecters were evaluated at regular intervals of 2 months starting from December 2011, February 2012 and April 2012 for the period of six months storage. The investigation revealed that the genotype AAIMS-1 performed superior as it retained good root length, shoot length, and seed vigour index. Seed stored in polythene bags was found better than other packaging materials except for shoot, root length. Seed treatment with thiram proved better than other seed treatments (malathion and neem cake) as highest percent germination, seed vigour index, shoot length and root length were observed with this treatment.