Effect of seed treatment emulsifiers on seed quality and membrane function in maize

Abstract

Abstract Three commonly used seed treatment emulsifiers, Triton X-100, Proprietary-adjuvant A and Proprietary-adjuvant B, were applied to four seed lots differing in genotype, and seed vigor. Seed quality was measured by cold germination test, leachate conductivity, and sugar leakage. Membrane repair capacity during imbibition, and also membrane lipid composition and thermal properties, were determined. Seed and seedling performance as indicated by germination tests showed no significant difference between control and treated seed in the two high-vigor seed lots. All three emulsifiers, especially at high treatment rates, significantly reduced the performance of the two low-vigor seed lots. Conductivity and cold test germination were not related. However, a high correlation was found between sugar leakage and cold test germination following emulsifier treatment. The occurrence of membrane repair and the associated changes in phospholipid composition and thermal properties in the emulsifier-treated seed indicate a modification of the membrane function due to the emulsifier or adjuvant treatments.