Sweetcorn seeds of 2 cultivars were conditioned with Ag nanoparticles (nAg) and aq. AgNO3 solns., and studied for activity of epiphytic microorganisms present on the seeds, germination rates as well as growth and biol. quality of the seedlings. Ag in ionic form significantly reduced the no. of epiphytic microorganisms on the seeds of both sweetcorn cultivars and increased the germination rate, but adversely affected the growth and biomass of seedlings of both cultivars. nAg showed weaker seed-surface disinfection effect, increased the germination rate of the seeds, but in contrast to ionic form improve parameters of the seedlings quality and growth.