Seed reserves reduction rate and reserves mobilization to the seedling explain the vigour of maize seeds

Gisiane Camargo de Andrade,Cileide Maria Medeiros Coelho,Matheus Santin Padilha

doi:10.1590/2317-1545v41n4227354

Gisiane Camargo de Andrade, Cileide Maria Medeiros Coelho + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-1545v41n4227354

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Abstract

Abstract: Understanding how the seed reserve dynamics occurs during germination and seedling formation is determinant for advancements on seed technology. The aims of this study were: to verify which accelerated ageing temperature is the most effective to separate the vigour levels of maize seeds and to evaluate the reserves dynamics during germination and seedling formation process. Seven maize cultivars were submitted to the germination rate, accelerated ageing, thousand seed weight, total seedling length, shoot and root length, dry matter of seed and seedling, remaining dry matter in the endosperm, seed reserves reduction rate, conversion efficiency of reserves, reserves mobilization rate to the seedling and energy expenditure using the completely randomized statistical design. The reserves dynamics and seedling formation depends on the genotype and the initial seed vigour. Accelerated ageing at 45 °C for 72 hours is the most efficient combination to segregate vigour levels. Genotypes with higher seed reserve utilisation efficiency have higher vigour, producing seedlings with higher dry matter, higher total, shoot and root length, regardless of seed weight. The two rates evaluated prompt us to conclude that they explain the maize seed vigour and can be used in quality control programs to select high physiological quality cultivars.

Highlights

Seeds when taken to the field are subject to adverse environmental conditions, making it essential to use seeds with high physiological quality, which is directly related to the potential of germination and vigour and affected by the genotype (Oliveira et al, 2013; Nerling et al, 2013; Prazeres et al, 2016a)
The moisture degree determination was used only as a method to control the initial conditions of the seeds used in the experiment
Apart from that, all hybrids presented germination rate (GR) higher than 90%, that is, despite the existence of a statistically significant difference between them, all presented a high germination potential (Table 1). This potential is important in establishing crops because it determines the plant stand and the final productive potential of the crop until the seedling ceases to depend on seed reserves and becomes autotrophic (Bewley et al, 2013; Finch-Savage; Bassel, 2015)

Summary

Introduction

Seeds when taken to the field are subject to adverse environmental conditions, making it essential to use seeds with high physiological quality, which is directly related to the potential of germination and vigour and affected by the genotype (Oliveira et al, 2013; Nerling et al, 2013; Prazeres et al, 2016a). When seeds of different genotypes are Journal of Seed Science, v.41, n.4, p.488-497, 2019 submitted to ideal conditions of temperature and humidity, the germination potential can be expressed, with the normal seedlings formation. When these same cultivars are exposed under stressful conditions, the normal seedlings formation can be impaired according to the differences in the vigour levels of the cultivars (Marcos-Filho, 2015; FinchSavage; Bassel, 2015). No research has been found evaluating how the process of dynamic reserves and seedling formation occurs and how this may explain the seed vigour. The studies found in the literature generally evaluate seed vigour or seedling vigour separately and in that sense, have been reported in chickpea, wheat, rice, soybean and sweet corn (Soltani et al, 2002; Soltani et al, 2006; Mohammadi et al, 2011; Cheng et al, 2013; Cheng et al, 2015; Pereira et al, 2015; Cheng et al, 2018)

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