Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effect of chitosan (CH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) seed coatings and seedling sprinklings on two different maize varieties by measuring their phenology, the H₂O₂ presence, the catalase (CAT) activity, and the protein quantity. Methods: Seven groups of ten seeds for each maize variety were treated with CH (2% (20 g/L) and 0.2% (2 g/L)) or H₂O₂ (8 mmol/L) by coating, sprinkling, or both. Germination and seedling growth were measured. One month after germination, the presence of H₂O₂ in seedlings in the coated seed treatments was evaluated. Protein content and CAT activity were determined under all treatments. Results: H₂O₂ seed coating enhanced the germination rate and increased seedling and stem length in the quality protein maize (QPM) variety. Seedlings had a higher emergence velocity under this treatment in both varieties. CH and H₂O₂ sprinklings did not have an effect on seedling phenology. Exogenous application of H₂O₂ promoted an increase of endogenous H₂O₂. CH and H₂O₂ seedling sprinkling increased the protein content in both maize varieties, while there was no significant effect on the CAT activity of treated seeds and seedlings. Conclusions: CH and H₂O₂ enhance some phenological and biochemical features of maize depending on their method of application.

Key words: Zea mays, Chitosan, Hydrogen peroxide, Phenology, Catalase, Protein

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