Seed and Seedling Vigour in Tropical Maize Inbred Lines

Abstract

Seed and seedling vigour is an aspect of seed quality which affects field establishment and performance. Low maize yields have been reported to be affected by several factors in which poor quality seed with low seed and seedling vigour. Information is scarce on seed and seedling vigour in maize inbred lines developed for tropical environments. Fifteen genotypes of tropical maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines were evaluated to determine the level of differences in seed and seedling vigour traits, and extent of relationships among traits and their heritability. A substantial amount of genetic variability was found, which suggested that most of the traits under study could be improved through selection and utilized in breeding programs. Positive and significant interrelationship among seed germination and seedling traits and a positive correlation between seed germination and seed vigour and field emergence showed that these could be given due consideration in crop improvement for seed and seedling vigour. High genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were obtained for seed germination, seed emergence, shoot length and seedling vigour index I and II, revealing the possibility of improvement in these characters through direct selection. The principal component analysis (PCA) identified seed emergence, shoot length, seedling vigour index I and II and tetrazolium vigour as characters that contributed greatly to variation in seed vigour in the maize inbred lines. Cluster analysis partitioned the genotypes into two groups, with group I consisting of seven genotypes and group II comprised the other eight genotypes, which suggested that hybridization between the two groups could lead to high level of heterosis. Genotype V 5 had superior seedling vigour traits compared to other genotypes. Seedling emergence, shoot length, seedling vigour index I, seedling vigour index II and tetrazolium vigour are effective characters for good seedling vigour traits in maize inbred lines investigated.

Genetic diversity in pearl millet restorers based on seed vigour traits and SSR markers

“…These specific associations among the genotypes present in different clusters can be harnessed to improve a significant trait. These findings are in agreement with previous studies on rice genotypes (Adebisi et al 2013a) and maize inbreds (Adebisi et al 2013b). Good germination and better seedling vigour are very important in case of pearl millet seed production as pearl millet is usually grown in rain-fed environment.…”

Influence of 24-epibrassinolide on seedling growth and distribution of mineral elements in two maize hybrids

“…Germination percentage, weight of intact plant and innitial plant height are parameters of quality which affect field establishment and performance [22]. These parameters are used to describe ability of plants to germinate rapidly in the soil and to tolerate various, mostly negative environmental factors.…”

Variability and salt tolerance screening of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines at seedling stage

“…The lower values of phenotypic and genotypic variances were observed for the characters root dry weight (0.01 and 0.01), and shot dry weight (0.01 and 0.01), respectively. Adebisi et al 19 observed higher phenotypic and genotypic variances for seed germination (%), and lower for seedling dry weight, root length and shoot length in maize inbred lines. The current study suggests that phenotypic variance (δ 2 p) and phenotypic co-efficient variation (PCV) were higher than theirs corresponding genotypic variance (δ 2 g) and genotypic co-efficient of variation (GCV) respectively for all the characters studied, indicating that the expression of these characters were influenced by environment.…”