Effects of seed priming, aggregate size and soil matric potential on emergence of cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) and maize ( Zea mays L.)

• Published in: Soil & tillage research 2003-12, Vol.74 (2), p.161-168
• Main Authors: Murungu, F.S., Nyamugafata, P., Chiduza, C., Clark, L.J., Whalley, W.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggregate size; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Cotton; Cropping systems. Cultivation. Soil tillage; Emergence; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Maize; On-farm seed priming; Soil matric potential; Soil tillage; Tillage. Tending. Growth control
• ISSN: 0167-1987; 1879-3444
• DOI: 10.1016/j.still.2003.06.003

Poor crop establishment, due to poor land preparation methods and inadequate soil moisture, continues to be a major constraint to crop production for smallholder farmers in the semi-arid tropics. On-farm seed priming (soaking seed in water) has been offered as a solution to this problem, but the ways in which this technology interacts with soil conditions are not well understood. The interactions between seed priming and soil physical conditions on cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) and maize ( Zea mays L.) emergence and seedling growth were determined in laboratory pot experiments. The treatments included seed treatment (primed and non-primed), initial soil matric potential (−10, −50, −100, −200 and −1500 kPa) and aggregate size (