Effect of seed dressing agents on the emergence of maize sown on different dates

Abstract

Maize seed sown in cold soil during the first ten days of April will only produce a satisfactory stand if the hybrid chosen has adequate chilling tolerance and if the seed has high biological value (germination percentage, cold test) and is treated with a high quality dressing agent. The emergence date is influenced to a great extent by the heat sum, so only a small proportion of the considerable difference in the sowing date is manifested in the emergence date. Nevertheless, healthy plants emerging from early-sown seed have more rapid initial growth and development, as demonstrated by their greater shoot dry matter accumulation. It is not worth risking early sowing in heavily infected soil, with seed lots having poor germination ability, without adequate seed dressing, or with chilling-sensitive hybrids.