Effects of mechanical damage at processing on seed germination, vigor and field emergence of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Shelling operation is an important aspect of seed conditioning in processing of maize seed. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of locally fabricated maize sheller used during processing on seed quality of maize. Freshly harvested maize ears dried to about (control). A 500g of maize seeds was weighed from each part and the materials were packed separately in well-covered plastic containers and kept under short term conditions (18±3oC). Samples were drawn and subjected to seed quality tests (standard germination and accelerated ageing tests) and field emergence trials for three seasons. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that shelling method was highly significant (P < 0.01)) for accelerated ageing test and field emergence but not for standard germination test. Also, effect of season x shelling method interaction was highly significant (P < 0.01) for field emergence. The mean germination values under accelerated ageing test were 85.58 and 76.92% for hand-shelled and machine-shelled maize seeds respectively. Similarly, mean emergence value sunder field conditions were 88.67 and 75.17% for hand-shelled and machine-shelled maize seeds, respectively. From this study, it seemed therefore that hand-shelled maize seeds would store longer in the storage environment and ensure relatively higher number plant population on the field. In addition, significant effect of season x shelling method interaction on field emergence implies that shelling method should be given a prime consideration in evaluating for field emergence in a particular growing season in order to avoid wrong conclusion about actual performance of the seed lot on the field.