Improving seed vigour assessment of super sweet and sugar‐enhanced sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata)

Abstract

Given the lack of comprehensive research on seed vigour of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata) and different genetic backgrounds of super sweet and sugar-enhanced sweet corn, it is necessary to improve their seed vigour assessment. Seed vigour status of eight super sweet and eight sugar-enhanced sweet corn hybrids was examined by standard germination, stress resistance, physiological and biochemical tests, and field emergence tests. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between sweet corn genotype and seed vigour. However, vigour assessment was different with different tests. Correlation analysis revealed that volatile aldehyde was the optimal index for seed vigour assessment of super sweet corn and dehydrogenase activity was the optimal for sugar-enhanced sweet corn. On the basis of correlation analysis, regression equations were established for predicting field emergence performance. Verification experimentation suggested the established regression equations were very reliable.

Improving the assessment method of seed vigor in Cunninghamia lanceolata and Pinus massoniana based on oxygen sensing technology

“…Our research showed that GP did not significantly correlate with field emergence performances of Chinese fir in both years. The result was also similar to our previous study in sweet corn (Zhao et al 2007). GI represents germination speed, which is one of vigor indices.…”

“…The DA test referred to the method of Zhao et al (2007). Ten seeds were randomly chosen and then performed on length cutting along the center of seed embryo.…”

“…Nowadays, seed vigor test is mainly focused on physical, physiological, biochemical, histochemical methods (Yan et al 2006). In our previous study, standard germination percentage (SGP), paper piercing germination percentage (PPGP), cold germination percentage (CGP), accelerated aging germination percentage (AAGP), soluble sugar (SS), volatile aldehyde (VA), dehydrogenase activity (DA), electrical conductivity (EC) were tested to improve seed vigor assessment of sweet corn (Zhao et al 2007). Our results showed that these indices except for SGP were suitable to evaluate seed vigor of different genotypes.…”

Improving the Field Emergence Performance of Super Sweet Corn by Sand Priming

“…However, seeds of Shrunken-2 (sh 2 ) varieties such as Green Superman are less vigorous than the other sweet corn types due to reduced starch reserves for germination, cracked seed coats, and increased sugars which render the seed more susceptible to disease. Poor seedling establishment was the major obstacle in sweet corn production (Zhao et al, 2007). Therefore, how to improve seedling emergence has been extensively studied in super sweet corn.…”

“…Field emergence percentage (FEP) and field emergence speed (FES) are vital indices for field performance assessment since they directly affect crop yield and quality (Zhao et al, 2007). Therefore, the effect of sand priming on improving the field emergence performance of super sweet corn was investigated.…”