Effect of Different Seed Coatings and Storage Temperature on Quality of Maize Seeds

Maize seed quality deteriorates during storage, resulting in reduced germination and poor crop establishment. Seed coating technology, which applies thin polymer layers to seeds, offers protection against biotic and abiotic stresses and may improve seed storability. This study evaluated the effects of different seed coatings and storage temperatures on maize seed quality and storability. Two film-coating polymers, ready-made polymer and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were combined with fungicide (Homai: thiophanate-methyl 50% + thiram 30% WP) and insecticide (thiamethoxam 70% WS) to treat two maize varieties (MI Hybrid 4 and MI Hybrid 5). Six coating formulations and a non-coated control were tested in a completely randomized design with 28 treatments and four replicates. Seeds were stored in triple-laminated aluminium foil packets at ambient (25°C) and cold (15°C) temperatures for three months. Germination percentage, seed moisture content, shoot and root length, seedling length, and seedling vigour index (SVI) were assessed before storage and monthly thereafter. Germination declined with storage duration in all treatments; however, coated seeds showed a slower rate of decline than non-coated seeds. After three months, coated seeds maintained higher germination (up to 89.25% in MI Hybrid 4 and 78.0% in MI Hybrid 5) compared to controls. Seedling vigour index was highest in treatments C2 and C6, exceeding controls by over 500 units. Coated seeds-maintained moisture content below 12%, while non-coated seeds exceeded this level after two months. Furthermore, no significant differences in seed and seedling quality were observed between cold and ambient storage. The seed and seedling quality of coated seeds remained stable during storage, even under ambient air. Therefore, seed coating is an effective method to enhance the storability of maize seeds while preserving their quality.