Field performance of abnormal maize seedlings

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate field emergence parameters, number of plants that reached reproductive stage and yield of seed lots with different count of abnormal seedlings. In standard germination test these seedlings are discarded from the count of germinated seed, presuming that they will not develop into normal plants. Five lots of hybrid NS 640 with different percentage of abnormal seedlings were tested. Results showed that in favourable environment conditions, large number of abnormal seedlings emerged, reached reproductive stage and participated in yield formation. However, emergence of seed lots with high percentage of abnormal seedlings was longer than for lots with small number of abnormal seedlings. Laboratory germination and germination energy were more correlated with indicators of field emergence rate, while total percentage of germinated seedlings (normal and abnormal) was more correlated with grain yield. However, it can be expected that in adverse environment conditions, abnormal seedlings are less likely to develop into normal plants.