Corn Journal
  • Corn Journal
  • Author
  • Stalk Rot Booklet
  • Seed Testing
  • Corn Genetics
  • Pathology
  • Sponsors
  • Contact
"You can see a lot by just looking"-Yogi Berra

Preserving seed viability

11/12/2020

 
t​Each seed to be planted next year will have a full set of the hybrid genes located in each cell of the embryo.  Natural drying of seed in the field allows a temporary delay in cellular activity in corn seed about 40 days after pollination. Respiration and other metabolism in the embryo cells slow, preventing germination.  Preservation of seed viability for the next season requires continuation of the seed drying to 14-7% to prevent faster metabolism.  Corn seed producers control this drying process, carefully avoiding higher temperatures that could destroy the cellular physiology but yet quickly dry the harvested seed.  This is mostly done by using fans to remove the released moisture from environment surrounding the seed. 
 
Drying speed is significant because moisture levels between 32% and 15% allow some degradation of cellular membranes but without the adequate replacement that occurs in actively growing plants.  This ageing process shortens the eventual viability of the seed.
 
Multiple studies have shown that seed respiration rates are affected by storage conditions and that these eventually affect germination percentage and seedling growth rate. Genetics also enter into these factors.  Pericarp wall density affects the ease of moisture movement into the embryo.  Some corn genotypes are more vulnerable to uptake of atmospheric moisture than others.  Pericarp tissue is part of the female parent of the corn kernel and therefore vulnerability to seed germination deterioration due to moisture during storage is often associated with the hybrid female parent.  Two inbreds may combine to give identical hybrid parent characteristics, but one of the inbreds may be superior for germination preservation when used as the female parent.
 
Successful preservation of high germination rates in the spring are dependent on multiple factors including stresses during seed development, drying conditions and genetics of parent seed.
 

Comments are closed.

    About Corn Journal

    The purpose of this blog is to share perspectives of the biology of corn, its seed and diseases in a mix of technical and not so technical terms with all who are interested in this major crop. With more technical references to any of the topics easily available on the web with a search of key words, the blog will rarely cite references but will attempt to be accurate. Comments are welcome but will be screened before publishing. Comments and questions directed to the author by emails are encouraged.

    Archives

    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

© COPYRIGHT 2023. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
  • Corn Journal
  • Author
  • Stalk Rot Booklet
  • Seed Testing
  • Corn Genetics
  • Pathology
  • Sponsors
  • Contact