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Multiple electroconductivity readings (μAmps) of leachates from individual seeds during the first 6 hr of imbibition was examined as a possible predictor of seed quality. Readings from each sample of 100 seeds were formed into frequency distributions and the mean, median. and internal slope were calculated using an automated computer retrieval system. Internal slope is a non-central tendency measure based on the slope of a line tangent to the inflection point of the S-shaped cumulative frequency distribution (CFD) of μAmps. Radicle lengths (3 days) and germination (7 days) percentages were regressed on each of the two measures of central tendency and also the CFD shape indicator, internal slope. None of the three predictors were satisfactory for estimating seed vigor (root lengths) of maize (Zea mays L.) or wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) or germination of wheat seed lots. Internal slope was useful in estimating viability of artificially aged maize seeds (r2= 0.91), which compared favorably with our previous results using naturally aged red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seed lots. Overall the seed quality of the unaged wheat lots was fairly high and the electrolyte leakage test was not sensitive enough to detect differences within these lots.
Sweet corn with the shrunken-2 (sh2) gene is characterized by poor seed emergence and low seedling vigor. Also, this variety is sensitive to flooded conditions. Our objective was to determine the effects of aeration, during priming treatment, on germination and vigor. Priming consisted of aerating sh2 maize seed during soaking then drying on a lab bench overnight under a fan. Fifty seeds at a time were soaked (25 ± 2C) in 100 ml deionized water. During this time they received either 75% O2: 25% N2, pure N2, pure CO2, or no gas (soak control) for up to 6 hours. The flow rates ranged from 0.35 to 2 standard liters per minute for 75% O2: 25% N2, 0.8 to 2.5 for N2, and 0.5 to 1.3 for CO2. Pressure was held constant at 1 psi. All samples were weighed before soaking, immediately after soaking, and again upon partial drying. Germination was counted after 7 days using the rolled paper towel method (25 ± 1C). Radicle lengths were measured after 72 hours. Oxygen (75%) increased vigor. Also, O2 permitted greater water absorption (P < 0.02). Carbon dioxide and N2 both decreased vigor. Data suggest that aeration conditions (75% O2) during the hydration treatment has beneficial effects.
Five seed-quality indices based on individual seed electrolyte leakage tests were evaluated. Zea mays L. seeds were soaked for 6 hours, and individual seed leachate conductivity values were obtained. A total of 100 cells were scanned, one seed per cell, at 5-minute intervals for the first 30 minutes, followed by 15-minute intervals for the remaining 330 minutes. Seeds were allowed to dry for 5 to 7 days at room temperature and then were tested for germinability at 25C for 7 days. Radicle lengths were measured after 72 hours. The Richards function was fitted to cumulative frequency distributions of μAmps to obtain internal slope (IS), mean μAmp, and median μAmp values for each scan. Initial leach rate (ILR) was estimated after fitting hyperbolic functions to μAmp vs. soak time data. Average leach rate (ALR) was also derived from fitting the Richards function to μAmp vs. soak time data. Linear regression of seed quality on IS, mean, and median μAmp values after 5 hours of imbibition yielded r2 values of 0.91, 0.81, and 0.86 for predicting viability and 0.56, 0.46, 0.52 for predicting radicle length. Thus, IS was the best seed quality predictor, followed closely by median and mean μAmp values. ILR and ALR were not correlated with seed quality.