Improving seed germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays, L.) seed by soaking in water and moringa oleifera leaf extract

Germination traits are the key factor in higher productivity of crops. Thus, laboratory tests were made to enhance the germination of the seeds. One of the best strategies to promote seed germination was soaking the seeds in water and Moringa leaves extracts (MLE.) before planting. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the optimal soaking duration to enhance seed germination and seedling growth of hybrid 178 maize. There were three soaking durations; 12 hours, 16 hours, and 20 hours, along with the un-treatment (0 hour or without soaking). While the other factor was the concentration of the soaking seeds solution in Moringa leaves extract which was (0.25, 0.5 and 1.00 g) at the ratio of 1:10 (w/v) beside to hydro-priming (soaking in water) and control (un-treatment), each with four replications. Seed germination (%), germination index (GI), germination speed index (SGI), germination rate (GR, day), mean germination rate (MGR, day), seedling shoot length (cm), seedling root length (cm), seedling length (cm), seedling fresh weight (g), seedling dry weights, (g) seedling vigor 1 (SV1) and seedling vigor 2 (SV2) were evaluated. Results showed that maximum value germination traits were found in hybrid 178 of Maize which soaked at 20 hours of duration, followed by soaked at 16 hours then at 12 hours soaking compared with un-soaked seed. The germination and seedling characters, improved with soaking in Moringa leaves extract. 0.25 g/mm MLE. was the best treatment, followed by 0.5 (g) and hydro-priming gave higher values, as to seed germination and seed vigour compared with other treatment. Field emergence experiment gave the best values for dry weight(g) and seedling vigour (SVII) with 0.25 g/mm then 0.5 g/mm and hydro-priming under soaked seed to 20 hour com. This suggests that soaking in Moringa leaves extract as 0.25 concentrate under 20 hour soaking was a suitable treatment that can improve germination and seedling growth in hybrid 178 maize.