Physiological quality of green corn seeds under water stress conditions

This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of green corn seeds subjected to water stress. The experimental design used was completely randomized, in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement, consisting of two corn hybrids (AG1051 and BRS3046) and five osmotic potentials (0; -0.4; -0.8; -1.2 and – 1.6 MPa) simulated with aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000), with four replications of 50 seeds per treatment, totaling 40 experimental units. The analyzed variables were: water content, germination, root protrusion, final root protrusion, germination speed index, root length and coleoptile length. There was a significant effect of the interaction between hybrid factors and osmotic potentials for all analyzed variables, except for final root protrusion, which showed an isolated effect for the two factors studied. The results obtained indicated a higher percentage of germination and initial development of green corn seedlings for green corn seeds, hybrids AG1051 and BRS3046 at the osmotic potential of 0.0 MPa. The germination and vigor of green corn seeds decrease under water stress conditions from the osmotic potential of -0.4 MPa induced by PEG 6000, inhibiting the development of normal seedlings, affecting seed viability. Hybrid AG1051 presents superior germination and vigor compared to BRS3046.