Abstract

PEREZ DE LA CERDA, Felipe de Jesús et al. Physiological quality in corn seeds with structural differences. Agric. Téc. Méx [online]. 2007, vol.33, n.1, pp.53-61. ISSN 0568-2517.

Fifty-six single crosses of maize (Zea mays L.) with different type of endosperm, from floury to horny types were evaluated with the aim of establishing the relationship between the structural seed characteristics and physiological seed quality. The study was carried out during 2001 in the Colegio de Posgraduados at Montecillo, State of Mexico. Tests were carried out on industrial quality: texture as determined by dissection to determine percentages of pedicel, pericarp, germ, floury starch and horny starch; and physiological quality tests: standard germination test, cold and a vigor te st in a microtunnel using seeds with and without accelerated aging. Results showed differential response among genotypes, increasing vigor and physiological quality as the proportion of horny endosperm increased. A high and positive correlation between germ and horny endosperm was reflected in a higher dry weight of both shoot and root in the cold and the standard germination tests, which indicates higher vigor. From the test conducted in the microtunnel a high correlation was found between horny endosperm and dry weight of both shoot and root and rate of emergency. A canonical correlation analysis, with data from standard germination and cold tests confirmed the main conclusion of this study in the sense that a large expression of vigor corresponds to genotypes with horny endosperm.

Keywords : Zea mays L.; floury endosperm; horny endosperm; seed quality; texture by dissection; vigor.