Seed size effect on yield quantity and quality of maize (Zea mays L.) cultivated in South East Baltic region

Abstract

Fractionation of seeds is a process commonly used by breeding and seed production companies. Separation of seeds into small, medium and large size fractions depends on a thousand kernel weight and thus on the content of the endosperm of the seeds, which is used in the process of embryo germination. Research showed that large seeds were characterized by a higher field germination capacity and generally seedlings had greater weight compared to those obtained from small seeds. The question then arises whether such fractionation would promote plant yield improvement. Yields of maize (Zea mays L.) plants of cv. 'Boruta' obtained from different size fractions (of different thousand kernel weight) were evaluated in the years 2005-2007. A three-year field experiment showed that yielding of the plants depended on the seed size fraction and decreased with an increase in the size of maize seeds sown. Moreover, in the experiment the germination value of seeds was assessed in cold (10°C) and warm (25°C) tests. The highest germination capacity in both the warm and the cold test (79.0% and 74.0%, respectively) was observed in the small seed size fraction. Germination of large seeds in the cold test was by 6.71% lower (a significant difference) than that of small seeds. The amylolytic activity of three fractions was also examined as indicated by dry and swollen seeds. The results showed the highest activity of amylases in small seeds (7.33 mg maltoze g dry matter-1 min-1) and the lowest in large seeds (4.12 mg maltoze g dry matter-1 min-1).

Germination Characteristics of SC701 Maize Hybrid According to Size and Shape at Different Temperature Regimes

“…Seed vigor index which is an attribute of vigour test complement the standard germination test (Abbasian et al, 2013). Sulewska et al (2014) reported lower amylase activity in large seedlings than small seedlings. The seedling vigor which is important in germination also decreases in large seeds under a low temperature.…”

“…Rastegar and Kandi (2011) reported similar findings with an experiment carried out on soybeans seedlings. Sulewska et al (2014), also reported that the physiological system controlling the rate of ns-non significant. *, ** indicate significant difference at probability levels of 5% and 1%, respectively.…”

Influence Of Meteorological Factors On Maize Performance In Latvia

“…In Latvia, the effect of some maize yield-determining factors considered as important by researchers in other countries has not been investigated during the last decades, e.g. plant population density at harvest (Stanton et al, 2007;Baron et al, 2008), effect of seed size on yield (Sulewska et al, 2014), importance of crop rotation (Ðeremeðic et al, 2013) growing maize for silage, and possibility of minimising soil tillage (Aviþienyte et al, 2013). Such investigations are needed also in Latvia, together with detailed research on maize fertilization.…”

Development of dual purpose sorghum: correlation and path-coefficient analysis of grain yield and stem sugar traits

“…The trait, for example, is dependent on the number and size of the seeds per plant. From the same sorghum head, different seed sizes are obtained and some seed companies pack similar sized seed of the same variety separately, a process called fractionation (Sulewska et al, 2014).…”