The mutant endosperm gene in corn (Zea mays L.), shrunken-2 (sh2), is associated with poor seedling emergence in cold soils (Churchill and Andrew, 1984). Although poor emergence has been attributed to a variety of factors, it is known that cold injury during imbibition is usually more severe in seeds that have a low moisture content at planting (Simon and Wiebe, 1975). Seeds of crops that have been partially hydrated at a warm temperature (primed) before low-temperature treatment have shown improved emergence. A high initial moisture content partially protects corn seed from the detrimental effects of cold imbibition (Cal and Obendorf, 1972). No published information is available on the response of sh2 genotypes to pretreatment by seed priming.
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