Eminent Roles of Micro-nutrients in Quality Seed Production

Abstract

There are seventeen vital nutrients required for plant growth and development.  Out of these essential nutrients the elements needed in trace amounts are known as micro-nutrients. Seed priming and treatment with micronutrients has the potential to meet crop micronutrient demand and improve seedling emergence and stand establishment, grain micronutrient enrichment and yield.  Micronutrients may be applied to the soil, foliar sprayed or added as seed treatments or seed priming. While the essential amounts of micronutrients can be provided by any of these methods, foliar sprays have been more successful in yield improvement and seed quality enrichment. Due to high cost has limited its wider adjustment, particularly by wealth poor farmers. Micronutrients may be applied either by coating with micronutrients or by soaking in nutrient solution of a specific concentration for a specific duration (seed priming). The potential micronutrients for seed treatments are Zinc (Zn), Boron (B), Molybdenum (Mo), Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Cobalt (Co) for improving growth, development, yield and seed quality enrichment. Treated or primed seeds generally have better, faster and more integrated germination. Micronutrient application in seed can also be done through seed coating and pelleting. Seed priming or seed coating seems reasonable, inexpensive and an easy method of micronutrient delivery mostly by small land holders in developing countries.