Seed germinability after imbibition in electrical conductivity test and relations among maize seed vigour parameters

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the influence of an imbibition during bulk seed conductivity test on maize seed germinability and to establish the relations among maize (Zea mays L.) seed conductivity and other vigour parameters in different germination conditions. Large and medium seed size of ten maize hybrids harvested in two subsequent years were tested by standard germination test (SG), cold test (CT) and electrical conductivity test (EC), as well as by germination test after EC evaluation. The effects of seed size, seed age, hybrid and their interactions were strongly expressed in the majority of analysed seed and seedling vigour parameters. Mean seed germinability evaluated after EC test was 91.7%, which was slightly lower than mean SG value (%), implying no significant imbibitional damage especially in hybrids with high seed vigour. EC value under 10 µS cm -1 g -1 was obtained with seed showing high germination and seedling vigour for both SG and CT. EC values higher than 12 µS cm -1 g -1 were recorded with seed samples showing low germinability after EC test, which germinated less than 50% in CT conditions as well. EC test value showed strong negative correlations with the most of the maize seed and seedling vigour parameters in the applied germination tests, such as germinability, germination rate, root and coleoptile length and seedling mass. The presented results may help in the standardization of this very applicable test for maize seed, and its adoption as a routine vigour test in maize seed production and quality control is suggested.