Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: October | Volume: 6 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 281-288
Effect of Bio Priming Seeds with Microbial Based Bio Fertilizers on Growth of Maize Seedlings
Moses Mutetwa1, Karen Nyaera2, Thomas Masaka3, Tuarira A. Mtaita4
1Postgraduate Africa University Alumni, 2Undergraduate Student, 3Assistant Lab Technician Africa University, 4Senior Lecturer and Head Department of Agriculture and Natural Sciences,
Africa University, Department of Agriculture & Natural Sciences, College of Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Box 1320, Mutare - Zimbabwe
ABSTRACT
The world over agriculture is being threatened by adverse effects of climate change. For that reason, Sub-Saharan Africa needs to intensify agricultural production to feed her growing population adequately in a sustainable manner by the exploitation of beneficial microbes as a bio fertilizer for food security, food safety and sustainable crop production. The study aimed to assess the effects of bio priming with Trichoderma and Bacillus based-bio fertilizers on maize plant characteristics. A pot experiment was conducted for each bio fertilizer. The soaking treatments for the bio fertilizers were applied to the seeds as follows: Trt1 = 0 hours, Trt2 = 8 hours, Trt3 = 16 hours, Trt4 = 24 hours, and Trt5 = Control. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The effect of soaking was significant (P<0.05) for the parameters (plant height, root length, fresh weight, dry weight) investigated. Number of leaves was only significant (P<0.05) for treatments wit Bacillus. Best results were obtained when soaking for 16hrs for both Trichoderma and Bacillus treatments. In view of these findings, the study conclude that when targeting for maximum plant height, fresh weight and dry weight in maize, soaking the seed for 16hrs can be adopted and further, soaking for 24 hrs do promote root length which can help assist in accessing water and nutrients from deeper horizons which can be beneficial in marginal production areas. Significant N and P uptake by the maize was as a result of incorporating the bio fertilizers.
Key words: Bio fertilizer, bio priming, Trichoderma, Bacillus, seed, maize, growth
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