Effects of maturity group and duration of seed storage on leaf shedding and yield of tropical maize genotypes

Abstract

A field experiment was carried out at the Research Farm of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria during the early and late cropping seasons of
2014 and 2015. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3
replications to determine the effect of seed storage duration on number of leaves and yield of tropical maize
genotypes of different maturity groups. Analysis of the data revealed that storage duration (SD) of 0 (initial),
3, 9 and 15 months and maturity group (MAT) (early, intermediate and late) effects were highly significant on
above ear photosynthetically active leaf (AEPAL), below ear photosynthetically active leaf (BEPAL), number
of lost leaf (NLL) and total number of leaf produced (TLN). Percent retained leaf (Percent RL) and grain yield
(GYD) were also significantly influenced by storage duration. Varietal effect differed significantly for NLL
and TLN. The interactive effect of SD and MAT was significant on the average number of AEPAL, BEPAL,
NLL and percent RL only. Averaged over the storage duration of early, intermediate and late maturing
genotypes produced 17, 18 and 20 leaves, respectively. The TLN was higher for late maturing genotypes but
least for early maturing. Genotypes in late maturing group had 8.7 % of their leaves above ear compared to the
varieties in early group. Percentage yield reduction at 9 and 15 months in storage were 18 and 24 %,
respectively. Thus it is advisable not to store seeds for more than one year before sowing. It is recommended
that maize seeds be stored not beyond six months before planting for commercial purpose.