Assessment of physiological quality of commercial maize-seed lots for quality assurance in the Nigerian seed industry

Abstract

Maize productivity in Nigeria fluctuates over the years partly due to the use of seed lots with poor seed quality. The aim of this study was to assess problems associated with physiological quality for commercial maize seed lots in the Nigerian seed industry. Fifty samples of commercial maize seed-lots of the same variety, ‘Sammaz 15’, were collected from 50 seed companies across the country. Moisture content, standard germination, bulk conductivity, accelerated ageing, seedling vigour and field seedling emergence tests were performed on the seeds. The assessments were conducted in two consecutive years. Across the years, mean seed moisture content was 10.6%, germination was 93.7%, bulk conductivity was 8.10 μS cm-1 g-1 and 1000-seed weight was 245.2 g. Mean values for length of mesocotyl, coleoptile, primary leaf, shoot and root were 30.7, 35.6, 65.1, 97.7 and 210.5 mm, respectively. Mean values for field emergence and accelerated ageing were 88.5 and 68.8%, respectively. There were significant correlations between germination percentage, bulk conductivity, accelerated ageing germination percentage and ageing index and field emergence. Correlations with moisture content were poor. The ageing test showed that storability was low. Breeders should select for seed with good storability to ensure quality maize seed production.