Physiological quality of maize seeds produced under soil water deficit conditions

Fernando H B Machado,Andréia M S De S David,Silvânio R Dos Santos,Josiane C Figueiredo,Danúbia A C Nobre,Cleisson D Da Silva

doi:10.1590/1807-1929/agriambi.v24n7p451-456

Abstract

ABSTRACT Crop strategies focused on the rational use of water are required in semiarid regions. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality of maize seeds produced under soil water deficit conditions. Five irrigation water depth were established, based on the field capacity (100, 85, 70, 55 and 40%), to control the available water for two maize hybrids (2B-587 and DKB-390). A randomized block design was used, with a split-plot arrangement and four repetitions. The plots consisted of irrigation water depths, and the subplots consisted of maize hybrids. The seed water concentration, germination, and vigor were determined after the harvest, using data from first germination counting, seedling emergence, germination speed index, seedling length, and accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, and modified cold tests. The maize hybrid DKB-390 showed better physiological potential under the soil water deficit conditions evaluated. The irrigation water depths lower than 70% of field capacity resulted in decreases in soil water contents and affected negatively the physiological quality of the maize seeds produced.

Highlights

Several factors compromise the production and contribute to low maize crop yields, and two of them is related to water: the lack of genotypes tolerant to water deficit, and the nonuniformity of rainfall, mainly the occurrence of dry spells during critical stages of the crop development (Sousa et al, 2015)
The irrigation water depths lower than 70% of field capacity resulted in decreases in soil water contents and affected negatively the physiological quality of the maize seeds produced
Considering that seeds are subjected to adverse conditions in arid and semiarid regions, the objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of maize seeds produced under soil water deficit conditions

Summary

Introduction

Several factors compromise the production and contribute to low maize crop yields, and two of them is related to water: the lack of genotypes tolerant to water deficit, and the nonuniformity of rainfall, mainly the occurrence of dry spells during critical stages of the crop development (Sousa et al, 2015). Maize hybrids that are tolerant to water deficit or present a better use of the available water in the soil have been identified, enabling the selection of genotypes that can produce high-quality seeds even under water stress conditions (Abreu et al, 2014). High-vigor maize seeds are more resistant to low water availability conditions, favoring the plant establishment in the field even under such conditions (Tekrony & Egli, 1991). This is due to the fast emergence and high performance of the seeds, which result in a better uniformity, development, and quality of the harvested product (Marcos Filho, 2015a)

Objectives

Methods

Results