Impact of Pressure Infusion of sh-2 Sweet Corn Seed with Pseudomonas aureofaciens on Seedling Emergence

Pressure infusion, a new method using increased atmospheric pressure to inoculate seed with the biocontrol agent (BCA) Pseudomonas aureofaciens,was evaluated for control of Pythium in shrunken-2 (sh 2 )sweet corn seed. Pressure infusion increased seed hydration rates, especially in damaged areas. Shrunken-2 sweet corn (Zea mays L.) seed often contains incomplete pericarp layers and internal open spaces both within the seed and between the aleurone layer and the pericarp. We hypothesized that pressure infusion may increase the effectiveness of the BCA inoculation through delivery of bacteria to areas deep within the seed. However, pressure infusion reduced final emergence in both growth chamber and field experiments. Rapid hydration of the pressure-infused seed may have caused tissue damage. Bio-priming of pressure-infused seed increased final emergence. The BCA reduced Pythium infection of sh 2 sweet corn seed 48 h after planting. Pressure infusion of seed did not significantly affect the incidence of Pythium infection when compared to other treatments using the BCA.