The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect on the physiological performance of maize seeds (Zea mays L.) of micro-priming with Bacillus subtilis associated with techniques of water restriction and seed-coating. The micro-priming of the seeds, without any additional techniques, was carried out using a commercial product, Rhizoliptus ® (Bacillus subtilis). Water restriction was carried out using a PDA medium (Potato - Dextrose - Agar) with mannitol (-0.7 MPa), upon which the culture was grown for 48hours. One hundred sterilized corn seeds were placed in each dish. Once root protrusion occurred in one seed, the rest were removed and kept in a laboratory environment for 48 hours. The coating was carried out by the addition of Seed Polymer Color HE (50 ml kg-1) to the priming mixture containing the Bacillus subtilis. The seeds were kept for 48 hours in a laboratory environment. A treatment which associated seed coating and water restriction was used on the micro-primed seeds, together with a control treatment without the addition of Bacillus subtilis. The Bacillus subtilis has no effect on the health of the seeds it; does however contribute to the growth and development of the maize seedlings, being influenced by the micro-priming technique used. The use of water restriction associated with seed coating provides better results when micro-priming with Bacillus subtilis.
Polymer; Priming; Initial growth and development; Zea mays L.
