Seed quality of maize (Zea mays L.) can be negatively impacted by a fall frost event. It is important for the seed industry to detect frost damage early and to make marketing decisions before the seed lots are conditioned for sale. This study compared several seed quality tests (standard germination [WG], accelerated aging [AA], saturated cold [SC], and soak tests) for their ability to quantify frost damage. Additionally, these tests were used to predict field emergence under poor and average to good field conditions. Two genotypes (B73 × IRF311 and Mo17 × IRF311) were harvested at three moisture contents (300–350, 400–450, and 500–550 g H2O kg−1 fresh weight). An artificial frost treatment was applied to the seed and damage was determined by testing seed after approximately 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6 mo of storage. The artificial frost treatment significantly decreased viability and vigor of all the seed lots except Mo17 × IRF311 harvested at 300 to 350 g H2O kg−1 fresh weight. As seeds matured, the damage associated with frost treatment decreased. Laboratory tests did not accurately predict field emergence of frost‐damaged seed under poor field conditions; however, AA at 0 mo, SC at approximately 0, 1.5, and 3 mo, and soak at approximately 0, 1.5, and 3 mo had strong relationships to field emergence under average to good field conditions. These results indicate that frost damage in seed lots is quantifiable using the SC and soak tests during approximately the first 3 mo of storage and both tests accurately predict field emergence.

Maize (Zea mays L.) breeders are interested in evaluating the seed quality of their inbred lines, as seed quality has a strong relationship to field emergence. There is little information, however, on the influence of the seed quality of the inbred on field emergence of the hybrid. The objectives of this research were to (i) determine whether seed quality tests and a seed quality index of the inbred parents and F 2 seed are correlated with field emergence of F 1 hybrids, and (ii) determine how many tests are necessary to calculate this index. Standard germination (SG), saturated cold (SC), and soak (Soak) tests, and the inbred quality index (IQI) were calculated on inbred parents and their corresponding F 2 progeny, and field emergence was measured on associated F 1 hybrids produced in Clinton, IL in 2002 and 2003. The tests and index of the parental inbreds and F 2 progeny correlated poorly with early field emergence of the F 1 hybrids. All tests were required to calculate the seed quality index. By averaging several seed quality tests into a single index, the poor seed quality performance of inbreds and F 2 populations in some tests can be masked by other tests. The seed quality index might be useful when ranking inbreds based on seed quality but not as a selection tool. Disciplines Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Plant Breeding and Genetics Comments This article is published as Goggi, A

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Seeds A gronomy J our n al • Volume 10 0 , I s sue 2 • 2 0 0 8 337 ABSTRACT Maize (Zea mays L.) breeders are interested in evaluating the seed quality of their inbred lines, as seed quality has a strong relationship to fi eld emergence. Th ere is little information, however, on the infl uence of the seed quality of the inbred on fi eld emergence of the hybrid. Th e objectives of this research were to (i) determine whether seed quality tests and a seed quality index of the inbred parents and F 2 seed are correlated with fi eld emergence of F 1 hybrids, and (ii) determine how many tests are necessary to calculate this index. Standard germination (SG), saturated cold (SC), and soak (Soak) tests, and the inbred quality index (IQI) were calculated on inbred parents and their corresponding F 2 progeny, and fi eld emergence was measured on associated F 1 hybrids produced in Clinton, IL in 2002 and 2003. Th e tests and index of the parental inbreds and F 2 progeny correlated poorly with early fi eld emergence of the F 1 hybrids. All tests were required to calculate the seed quality index. By averaging several seed quality tests into a single index, the poor seed quality performance of inbreds and F 2 populations in some tests can be masked by other tests. Th e seed quality index might be useful when ranking inbreds based on seed quality but not as a selection tool.

No abstract