Salman Mushtaq

Impact of different moisture regimes and nitrogen rates on yield and yield attributes of maize (Zea mays L.)

Nitrogen and irrigation, both are essential to determine the yield and quality of maize ( Zea mays L.). A field study was accomplished to determine the upshots of different levels of irrigation and varying nitrogen rates on yield, yield contributing attributes and radiation use efficiency (RUE) of maize hybrid on sandy clay loam soil. Different nitrogen rates and moisture regime treatments comprised of N 0 = 0, N 1 = 100 and N 2 = 200kg N ha -1 , I 1 (25 mm water deficit), I 2 (50 mm water deficit), I 3 (three irrigations during vegetative development + one irrigation at tasseling stage) and I 4 (three irrigations during vegetative development + one irrigation at tasseling stage + one irrigation at silking stage + one irrigation at grain filling stage), respectively. Results showed that maximum grain yield (7.04 t ha -1 ) was recorded when six irrigations were applied (three irrigations during vegetative development + one irrigation at tasseling stage + one irrigation at silking stage + one irrigation at grain filling stage) coupled with 200 kg N ha -1 (N 2 × I 4 ). The lowest grain yield (2.08 t ha -1 ) was obtained in response to 25 mm water deficits. Overall, N 2 × I 2 also gave a positive response in terms of yield attributes but highest plant height (160.80 cm), cob length (29.00 cm), number of grains per cob (308.33), 1000-grain weight (294.33 g) and biological yield (25.67 t ha -1 ) with maximum coefficient of correlation (R 2 ) values (0.9399; 0.8851; 0.9161; 0.8743 and 0.9126), respectively, was attained with N 2 × I 4 treatment combinations. The superior (RUE) radiation use efficiency (5.33 g MJ -1 ) with higher R 2 value (0.8821) was significantly affected by nitrogen rates and irrigation levels as obtained from N 2 × I 4 treatment. However, in all treatment combinations, N 2 × I 4 was superior by producing the highest maize grain yield. Keywords: Moisture regimes, nitrogen rates, deficit irrigation, Zea mays L., radiation use efficiency, maize yield

Evaluation of seed priming on germination of Gladiolus alatus

Seed priming improves seed performance under environmental conditions. The study was designed to evaluate the effect of different priming treatments on germination behavior of Gladiolus alatus. The experiment was conducted under complete randomized design (CRD) with four replications. Seed priming was done with different concentration of potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) and hydropriming. All the treatments had significant effect on germination percentage, germination test in growth room, time for 50% germination and mean germination time. Results show that maximum invigoration was observed in seeds osmoprimed at lower concentrations of KNO 3 and with hydropriming while minimum invigoration was observed at higher concentration of KNO 3- . It was concluded that germination percentage can be increased by using lower concentrations of KNO 3 and with hydropriming. Key words: Priming, hydropriming, gladiolus, germination.