O A

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Advances in Environmental Biology, 7(1): 141-146, 2013
ISSN 1995-0756
This is a refereed journal and all articles are professionally screened and reviewed
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Response of the seedling characters of New Hybrid seeds of corn in laboratory
conditions using standard Germination Test
1
M.R. Enayatgholizadeh, 2M.H. Gharineh, 3A.M. Bakhshandeh, 4KH. Alami Saeid and 5S.A.
Siadat
1
Department of Agronomy and plant Breeding, Shoushtar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran.
Associate of agronomy, Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Ramin, Khouzestan, Iran
3,5
Professor of agronomy, Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Ramin, Khouzestan, Iran
4
Assistant of Professor of plant Breeding, Agriculture and Natural Resources University of Ramin, Khouzestan,
Iran
2
M.R. Enayatgholizadeh, M.H. Gharineh, A.M. Bakhshandeh, KH. Alami Saeid and S.A. Siadat:
Response of the seedling characters of New Hybrid seeds of corn in laboratory conditions using
standard Germination Test
ABSTRACT
One of the agricultural characteristics of seed is its growth power .seed vigor, rapid ability of seedling, and
the degree of seed tolerance determine a range of various environmental factors. The effect of seed vigor on the
growth of plant and its performance may arise as well. This experiment was performed in agricultural
(physiology) laboratory of Islamic Azad University, shushtar branch, in 2011. In this experiment, treatments
were new hybrid seeds of corn at 10 levels from V1 to V10 and hybrid SC 704 as control hybrid (V0). In this
study complete randomized design of four replications was used. Evaluated characteristics included mean daily
germination, daily germination speed, seedling vigor index, primary root length, and seedling length. The
obtained data were entered into the tables of computer programs like Excel spread sheet after summarization
and classification. Variance analysis of row data was performed by SAS statistical programs and mean analysis
was done by LSD test. Statistical analysis made it clear that all the characters evaluated in laboratory were
affected by hybrid type. The comparison of means showed that hybrids were different in terms of all the
characters evaluated in this experiment. Moreover, the results clarified that some of the studied hybrids were, in
terms of evaluated indices, superior to hybrid SC704 which was the prevalent hybrid in the region so that, as to
the characteristic of mean daily germination, hybrid PL 774 with an average of 16 sprouts appeared per day and
hybrid PL710 with a mean of 8.25 sprouts daily had the most and the least germination respectively. Hybrid
PL710 with a mean of 0.122 and hybrid PL774 with a mean of 0.063 had the most and the least daily
germination speed respectively. Hybrid PL774 with an average of 7340 and hybrid PL710 with an average of
3365 were most and the least in term of seedling vigor index. Also, as to primary root length, hybrid PL 774 had
the most primary root length with a mean of 23.05 mm and hybrid PL 710 had the least primary root length with
a mean of 14.77 mm. the most seedling length was allocated to hybrid PL774 with 50.35 mm average and the
least seedling length was allocated to hybrid PL 710 with an average of 23.47 mm. Since in most cases the
results obtained in laboratory conditions can predict and suggest the results obtained in field conditions, it is
expected that these hybrids can also preserve their superiority in field conditions in the region.
Key words: mean daily germination, daily germination speed, seedling vigor index, primary root length,
seedling length.
Introduction
Seed is the most important agricultural resource.
The effects on the other sources like fertilizers,
irrigation water and herbicides in forming and
fertilizing the agricultural plants are determined by
this resource. By considering that the seed is the
marginal product of the plant reform programs and it
could be said that the success of a program specifies
the time it's seed is in the hand of farmers and is used
by them, every type of abnormality in germination
and it's sprouting vigor affects the plant
establishment and wastes away the difficulties that
the reformers and producers confront. Despite the
advance obtained in technology and agronomy
management, seed, germination, and desirable
establishment of resultant seedlings have still a key
importance in agriculture such that success or failure
Corresponding Author
Mohammadreza Enayatgholizadeh, Department of Agronomy and plant Breeding, Shoushtar
Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shoushtar, Iran
E-mail: [email protected]
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Adv. Environ. Biol., 7(1): 141-146, 2013
in production depends on quick and complete
germination of seeds and production of strong
seedlings. The most establishment of seedling is
achieved when seed is able to overcome undesirable
conditions and exhibit a proper response.
Undoubtedly, such a response is variable depending
on the kind of genotype and environment.
Environmental conditions of seeds bed usually cause
seed to face various tensions such as dryness,
temperature, water or soil salinity and many other
animate or inanimate tensions [13] from the
beginning of planting till the stage of emerging on
the surface of the soil.
The concentration of seed production of some
agricultural plants in especial regions is a convincing
cause for the environmental factors to affect seed
quality and it's growth [9]. The centrality of some
especial regions for the production of some products
is a convincing reason for the effect of the
environment on the growth and quality of the seed
[19]. Studying and investigating the effect of
cultivation date on the quality of soybean seed,
Green, et al [12] found that the soybeans produced
because of the early cultivation, due to placement in
a hot and dry weather, produced seeds with low
growth vigor. Also, Perry and Harrison [20] in their
investigations found that exposing the mother plants
to high temperatures during maturation and
desiccation of premature seeds in high temperatures
is the principal factor for physiological differences in
the seeds. The emergence of this physiological
disorder has been related to the delay in germination,
decrease in the growth of seedling and plant, low
green level, and low yield of the plant in field
conditions. The effective factors on the seed quality
could be issues like temperature, humidity, soil
fertility, nutrition of mother plant, pathogenic factors
and the environmental factors after maturation and
before harvesting, the drying and storage method of
seed. In spite of the technological developments and
the agricultural management of the seed, the optimal
germination and placement of the produced seedlings
have a key rule in agriculture, so that the success or
failure in the production is dependent on the full and
fast seed germination and the production of vigorous
seedlings. The most seedling establishment is
achieved when the seed could overcome the
undesirable environmental conditions and shows a
proper reaction from itself. Certainly this reaction is
variable according to the genotype and environment.
The environmental conditions of the seedbed usually
will cause the seed to confront various tensions like
dryness, low temperature, soil or water salinity and
many live and dead stresses [13]. It seems that
producing and introducing high- yield figures
requiring low irrigation and also early – yielding
figures among agricultural crops is one of the
effective strategies that when integrated with other
water- deficit management methods can minimize
the effect of this phenomenon [2,1,28].
The standard germination tests are the most
common tests to determine the germination capacity
of the seed. Everyone believes that germination and
germination capacity of the seed are the same [22].
One of the primary tests which is commonly used to
determine the seed quality is the standard
germination test. This test is used to investigate the
seed quality in optimal conditions (ISTA, 1987). But
it's results hardly reveal that how the seeds are
established in the field, and more the field condition
standards are away from the optimal conditions,
more difference is between the laboratory results and
the seed establishment in the field [13,23]. The
germination percentage includes the combination of
strong and weak seedlings, while a weak seedling
hardly could be established in a field in stressful
environment. Because of humidity and temperature,
the germination test could be done under optimum
conditions, while the environmental conditions are
hardly according to the abovementioned conditions
[10]. Establishing an infirm seed mass could be
different in different environmental conditions. This
reveals the cooperative interaction between the seed
mass and the environmental conditions, including the
seed bed [21,29]. In order to determine the seed vigor
in the laboratory conditions, different tests are used.
These tests include those which evaluate the seedling
growth and chemical and stress test [26]. However,
using the measure of seedling growth and other tests
of seed vigor to evaluate the seedling vigor in
different seed masses could be an effective solution
to evaluate the establishment of the seed in the field
[24]. In dry zones or in low soil temperature, the
seedling vigor and it's establishment method is very
important. In this regard, the results obtained by
Cisse and Ejeta [7] showed that there is a
considerable relationship between measuring the
height of Sorghum seedling in the field and sprouting
in greenhouse and growth room. So, the seed vigor
tests provide a better measure for establishing or
sprouting of the seed in the field in comparison to the
germination test. The test which has been done
relating to the alfalfa seedling [16] showed that the
correlation between the seedling height and
establishment has been a positive and considerable
one, so measuring the seedling height is better in
interpreting field demonstration than the germination
time. Also the tests which have been performed on
soybean showed that there is an appropriate
relationship between laboratory tests and establishing
the seedling in the field, but the significance of these
tests was variable in predicting the greening of the
field and these variables may be due to the
environmental conditions of the field [25].
The standard germination test is done under
optimal conditions, so when the field conditions are
nearly optimal in cultivation time, it's results have an
appropriate correlation with sprouting in the field,
but these are usually better than those of sprouting in
the field [27]. Castillo, et al [5] showed that the
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Adv. Environ. Biol., 7(1): 141-146, 2013
results of the standard germination test haven't any
correlation with the amount of the emergence of pea
seedlings. [21] observed no correlation between the
standard germination test and the emergence of pea
seedlings. Hegarty [14], Baalbaki and Copeland [3]
found out that the standard germination test helps to
estimate the amount of pea and wheat seedlings.
Also, Tekrony and Egli [25] observed that the
marginal germination percentage of soybean seeds
only in optimal field conditions has a correlation
with the emergence of seedlings in the field, while
Burris, et al [4] reported that the number of the
sprouting seeds 4 days after the standard germination
test (in primary counting) is the optimal laboratory
measure for the estimation of seedling emergence in
the soybean field. Some measurable standards could
be utilized successfully during the standard
germination test including the number of normal and
abnormal seedlings that are used to classify the
seedling vigor and also measuring the seedling,
primary root and peduncle [30].
The standard germination test which has been
verified internationally is very simple and
economical. Studies on lentil [18], soy bean [27],
corn [26] and pea [21] show that the germination test
only has a correlation with the seedling emergence in
optimal conditions of the field. However, most of
sugar-beet seed companies were forced to accept the
standard germination test as a germination index.
The present study tries to seek a suitable solution to
determine the best hybrid figure of corn to be
cultivated in the fields of Khuzestan Province in
order to be able to increase, based on obtained
results, the performance of the fields of the province.
Materials and Methods
This experiment was performed in agricultural
(physiology) laboratory of Islamic Azad University,
shushtar branch, in 2011. In this experiment,
treatments were new hybrid seeds of corn at 10 levels
from V1 to V10 and hybrid SC704 that was used as
control hybrid (V0). In this study complete
randomized design of four replications was used.
4,100-seed iterations have been tried out on each
sample to determine the germination capacity. The
samples were located in plastic boxes which their
dimensions were 26×9×38 centimeters and situated
in the culture room by 76-86 humidity percentages
and 25ºc temperature and iterations have been
checked and the amount of the daily sprouting seeds
was determined. After 7 days, the number of normal
and abnormal seedlings and rotten seeds were
determined and 10 seedlings were selected randomly
and the related measurements on the length and dry
weight of the seedling and primary root were applied.
The obtained data were used in order to calculate
some indices of germination capacity and seed vigor.
The mean daily germination (MDG):
The mean daily germination which is an index of
daily germination speed is determined from this
equation (Hunter, et. al, 1984):
MDG=
FGP
d
In this equation, FGP is the percentage of
marginal germination speed(the germination
capacity) and "d" is the number of days before the
maximum marginal germination (the duration of
experiment).
Daily Germination Speed (DGS):
This index is in contrast with the mean daily
germination and is calculated by this formula
(Maguire, 1962).
1
MDS= MDG
The Seedling Vigor Index (SVI):
After determining the normal and abnormal
seedlings, 10 seedlings were selected randomly from
each mass and after measuring the seedling length,
the primary leaves and roots were measured by a
ruler (on the basis of centimeter) and the wet and dry
weight of the seedling was determined by means of a
torsion balance (on the basis of gram) and it was
done after drying it in the oven by 75ºc in 48 hours).
Using these recent data, two seedling vigor indices
were determined from this equation:
SVI1 =The germination capacity × (the mean
primary root length + The mean peduncle length)
SVI2=The germination capacity × The dry
weight of the seedling
In the beginning of seedling formation, in order
to determine the The mean daily germination
(MDG), Daily Germination Speed (DGS), The
Seedling Vigor Index (SVI), Primary root length and
Seedling
length and the way of seedling
establishment. All the data were registered and
maintained for statistical analysis. The obtained data
were entered into the tables of computer programs
like Excel Spread Sheet after summarization and
classification. The variance analysis of row data was
made by SAS statistical programs and the mean
analysis was done by LSD test.
Result and Discussion
The Mean Daily Germination:
Statistical analysis made it clear that all the
characters evaluated in laboratory were affected by
hybrid type (table 1). The comparison of means
showed that hybrids were different in terms of all the
characters evaluated in this experiment. Moreover,
the results clarified that some of the studied hybrids
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Adv. Environ. Biol., 7(1): 141-146, 2013
were, in terms of evaluated indices, superior to
hybrid SC704 which was the prevalent hybrid in the
region. The results from variance analysis of hybrid
type of the characteristic of mean daily germination
using standard germination test in laboratory
conditions are presented in table (1).From these
results it can be deduced that the hybrids studied in
this experiment in terms of mean daily germination
characteristic were meaning fully different at the 1percent probability level statistically. As indicated in
figure (1), hybrid PL774 with a mean of 16 sprouts
emerged per day was in the first place, hybrids
PL706 and PL711 with 13.50 and 13.25 sprouts daily
had the second and the third places respectively,
hybrid Pl710 with an average of 8.25 was in the
lowest place, and control hybrid (SC704) had the
fifth place.
Germination stage is of the most important
stages of plant growth so that this stage determines
endurance , establishment and final performance of
agricultural plants [8]. Germination stage is vitally
important due to its importance in determining final
density of the bush in surface area unit. Adequate
density of the bush is obtained when planted seeds
are germinated completely [3]. The evenness of
germination, in effect, displays the length of linear
phase in cumulative percentage curve of germination
versus time. The shorter the length of this stage, it
signifies the simultaneous germination of seeds.
Conversely, if this stage gets long, it denotes that
seeds have not germinated simultaneously; rather
their germinations have taken place in longer period
of time. Un even germination in a longer duration in
creases the possibility of the attack of terricolous
diseases on seedlings’ seeds, decreasing the complete
establishment of seedlings [15].
Daily Germination Speed:
The results obtained from variance analysis of
characteristic daily germination speed indicated that,
in terms of the mentioned characteristic, there was
statistically a meaningful difference among the
studied hybrids at the 1% probability level. Figure
(2) presents the comparison of means of daily
germination speed characteristic of different hybrids.
As shown in figure, hybrid PL 710 with an average
of 0.122 and hybrid PL 774 with a mean of 0.063 had
the most and the least rate respectively in term of
daily germination speed characteristic and hybrid
SC704 with a mean of 0.083 was in the sixth place
among these treatments so that it was less than the
total average of treatments (0.090). The results
obtained from this experiment were in consistence
with those obtained Enayatgholizadeh et al, [11].
Seedling Vigor Index:
From the table of variance analysis it can be
inferred there is statistically a meaningful difference
at the 1% probability level among the hybrids that
were tested in terms of the characteristic of seedling
vigor index (table 1). As it is indicated in figure w,
hybrid PL774 with a mean of 7340 and hybrid PL710
a mean of 3365 were the highest and the lowest
respectively in seedling vigor index characteristic,
and hybrid SC704 with average 4375 that was less
than the total mean (4761) was in the sixth place.
Castro et al, [6] observed that different hybrids of
corn were meaningfully different in terms of the
degree of the emergence of seedling in field.
Primary root length:
The results obtained from variance analysis of
primary root length are presented in table (1). From
this table it can be deduced that there is statistically a
meaningful difference at the 1% probability level
among various hybrids in terms of primary root
length. Out of the studied treatments, hybrid PL 774
with a mean of 23.05 mm and hybrid PL 710 with an
average of 14.77 mm had the most and the least
primary root length, and hybrid SC 704 with average
17.20 was in the sixth place (figure 4).
Seedling length:
The results obtained from variance analysis of
seedling length are presented in table 1. These results
indicate that there is statistically a meaningful
difference at the 1% probability level among tested
treatments in terms of seedling length. As indicated
in figure 5, various hybrids have different seedling
lengths and the most seedling length was allocated to
hybrid PL774 with a mean of 50.35 mm, where as
the least seedling length belonged to hybrid PL 710
with an average of 23.47 mm. Hybrid SC704 with
average 28.85 mm was less than the total mean of
treatments (32.24 mm) and was in the sixth place.
Conclusion:
One of the agricultural characteristic of seed is
its growth power. Seed vigor, rapid ability of
seedling, and the degree of seed tolerance determine
a range of various environmental factors. The effect
of seed vigor on the growth of plant and its
performance may arise as well. The results obtained
from this experiment indicated that the studied
hybrids can influence the characteristics evaluated in
standard germination test and exhibit certain
differences. This experiment also indicated that five
hybrids of can used in this study were significantly
superior to hybrid SC 704 (the prevalent hybrid in
the region) in terms of the evaluated characteristics.
Since in most cases the results obtained in laboratory
conditions can predict and suggest the results
obtained field conditions, it is expected that these
hybrids can also preserve their superiority in field
conditions in the region.
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Adv. Environ. Biol., 7(1): 141-146, 2013
Table 1: Analysis of variance (mean squares) Standard Germination Test and seedling characters in laboratory conditions
S. O. V
df
Standard Germination Test
Mean
daily Daily
germination Seedling
Vigor Primary
root Seedling
germination
speed
Index
length
length




Hybrids 10 20.30454
0.00127
6248063.19
30.14264
294.02740
Error
33 0.65909
0.00006
11685.39
0.28462
1.30651
Total
43 CV(%)
7.02
8.40
2.27
2.99
3.54
ns: non significant,* ,** : respectively significant (p≤0.05) and highly significant (p≤0.01)
Fig. 1: Effect hybrids on mean daily germination in laboratory conditions using standard germination test
Fig. 2: Effect hybrids on daily germination speed in laboratory conditions using standard germination test
Fig. 3: Effect hybrids on seedling vigor index in laboratory conditions using standard germination test
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Adv. Environ. Biol., 7(1): 141-146, 2013
Fig. 4: Effect hybrids on Primary root length in laboratory conditions using standard germination test
Fig. 5: Effect hybrids on seedling length in laboratory conditions using standard germination test
Acknowledgement
This article is a part of PhD thesis that has been
conducted in the form of a research project in Ramin
University of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The authors wish to appreciate Agronomy and Plant
Breedling Department of Ramin University,
especially engineer seyyedHashem Musavi and
engineer Ali Chatei because of their honest
collaboration at all stages of performing this
research. Also, the authors appreciate Islamic Azad
University, Shoshtar branch, Especially Mr AryanNia, PhD.
2.
3.
4.
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