Study of the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide in improving the germination characteristics of maize seed under water stress

"A factorial experiment was carried out in the lab. college of Agricultural Engineering Science, University of Baghdad Al- Jadiriyah during year of 2017 With the aim of improving the germination properties of Maize variety of Noor under water stress. According to the Completely randomize design (CRD) with three replications were used in both and two factors: first: it included water tensile treatments by exposing the seeds to a solution of polyethylene glycol PEG 6000 with three levels (0, -4 ,-8) Bar, while the second factor with three concentrations of the compound peroxide Hydrogen H2O2 with a concentration of 50% (0, 10 , 20 mg L-1). The results showed that water stress had a significant effect on the characteristics of Maize seedlings, as it reduced the level of water stress (-8) bar, the average germination percentage, Average 80.00%, Root Shoot length, 7.900 , 5.22 (cm), respectively, seedling dry weight 269.9 (mg seedlings-1) and Seed vigor index of drought resistance 0.781,while treatment with compound hydrogen peroxide H2O2 contributed to improving the characteristics of Maize seedlings significantly, as the seed soaking treatment at a concentration of 20 (mg L-1) recorded the highest germination rate of 89.44%, the feather length of 5.90 (cm), and the seedling dry weight 353.6 (mg seedlings-1). Germination and vigor index of drought resistant 1.089. We recommend to soak maize seeds with peroxide Hydrogen H2O2 (10 ) mg L-1 for 24 h before planting, especially under water stress."