Interactive influence of maturity, storage temperature and duration on quality of maize hybrid seeds

S. Adesola Ajayi

sajayi@oauife.edu.ng
Institute of Crop and Grassland Science Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) Bundesallee 50, D-38116 Braunschweig, GERMANY (Germany)

Gerhard Rühl

Institute of Crop and Grassland Science Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) Bundesallee 50, D-38116 Braunschweig, GERMANY (Germany)

Jörg M. Greef

Institute of Crop and Grassland Science Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) Bundesallee 50, D-38116 Braunschweig, GERMANY (Germany)

Abstract

Seeds of two single-cross maize hybrids, Ulla and Benicia, harvested at eight stages during seed development and maturation were stored at –20°C and under ambient room temperature. Changes in quality were monitored with standard germination, accelerated ageing and two types of cold tests at three months intervals. The aim of this study was to investigate whether relative differences in quality of the seeds prior to storage were maintained during medium-term storage. Interactions between maturity stage and storage temperature were practically negligible...

Keywords:

genotype, seed dry weight, seed quality, seed testing, storage