GERMINATION AND VIGOUR TESTS IN CORN SEEDS FROM DIFFERENT ADAPTATION AREAS

Abstract

The germination response of six corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids from different climatic regions was studied, to validate the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) rules, using four temperature levels (20, 25, 30 and 35 oC) in a germination chamber and under greenhouse conditions. Seeds were wrapped in absorbent paper in the germinator chamber and planted in sand in the greenhouse. A genotypic differential response for percentages of germination, abnormal seedlings, and normal seedlings four days after planting, and seedlings dry matter weight was found for the temperature level treatments. For the 20 oC treatment, CPS-2 (High Land adapted) had the highest performance; on the other hand, H-452 (tropically adapted) had the lowest germination percentage. H-311 (intermediate areas adapted) had the highest germination percentages at 25 and 30 oC, and under 35 oC tropical hybrids H-452 and H-509 had the best performance.