Rupture Test: A New Method for Evaluating Maize (Zea mays) Seed Vigour

Abstract

To explore the application of seed germination biomechanical event(s) in seed vigour tests, a new procedure for the evaluation of maize seed vigour tests based on pericarp–testa rupture (PR) and coleorhiza rupture (CR) during seed germination was developed. Twenty–four lots of hybrid maize were used to determine the feasibility of the rupture test (RT) as a seed vigour test in Zea mays. The results showed that the physiological quality pattern of 24 maize seed lots assessed through RT was similar to that obtained through analysis with other seed test methods. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that the percentage of CR and percentage of PR + CR at “15 ± 0.5 °C for 120 h ± 1 h” and “20 ± 0.5 °C for 72 h ± 15 min” exhibited positive correlations with the field seedling emergence data (p < 0.01). Hence, the proposed method (the rupture test) is cogent and effective, thus providing an important reference for more crops to select for seed germination event(s) and establishing corresponding new methods for seed vigour tests in the future.