Effects of acidified clay on radicle and plumule emergence in protected seeds of maize varieties (Zea mays L)

Maize is the third most important cereal in the world next to rice and wheat and with high production potential among the cereals. It is a staple crop of many nations and reputed as crop for food security. A laboratory study was conducted at the Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, the Federal University of Technology Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria to determine the effects of acidified clay on the radicle and plumule emergence in protected seeds of maize varieties. The experiment was laid out in 2 by 4 factorial in Completely Randomized Design with each of the treatment in three replications. Concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) was diluted with 200 ml of distilled water at 5, 8 and 10% concentrations. Hundred (100 g) of finely powdered clay soil was weighed and mixed with 25 ml of 5, 8 and 10% diluted HCl. One hundred and fifty (150 g) of maize seeds were mixed with 30 g of acidified clay at various rates and were kept in air tight containers for 7 days. Maize seeds were sterilized in the diluted hypochlorite solution for 30 seconds. The sterilized seeds were plated at the standard plating pattern (9 round and 1 in the middle). Emergence was observed at 24, 48, and 72 hours for the radicle emergence and after 96 hours for the plumule emergence. After each day of the plating, number of seeds that germinated were recorded. The results showed that the germination of white and yellow maize responded similarly to the treatments even at different rates. Both radicle and plumule emergence were better when seeds were treated with 10% acidified clay at 48, 72 and 96 hours of plating. White maize showed better response to the treatment compared with the yellow maize. Treated maize seeds had better germination compared with the control.