ABSTRACT
An investigation was carried out with HQPM-5 maize hybrid and its parental lines HKI-163 and HKI-161 seeds during rabi 2022-23 to evaluate the effect of liquid biofertilizers (Azospirillum, Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria and Potassium solubilizing bacteria) on seed quality attributes in Quality Protein Maize (QPM) genotypes. The seeds were subjected to different concentration and duration of hydropriming and biopriming (Concentration: 10,15 and 20%; Duration: 6,12,18 and 24h). The non primed seeds were used as control. HQPM-5 seeds bioprimed with combination of Azospirillum @ 20 % + Phosphorous solubilizing bacteria @ 20 % + Potassium solubilizing bacteria @ 20 % at 12h (T9) recorded higher seed quality i.e., germination, field emergence, root length, shoot length, seedling length, seedling fresh weight, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, seedling dry weight, seed vigour index I & II, nitrogen and protein content and lower EC of seed leachates than the parental lines, HKI-163 and HKI-161. The overall performance of female parent was found to be better compared to the male parent.