Improving seed vigour assessment of super sweet and sugar‐enhanced sweet corn ( <i>Zea mays saccharata</i> )

Abstract

Abstract Given the lack of comprehensive research on seed vigour of sweet corn ( Zea mays saccharata ) and different genetic backgrounds of super sweet and sugar‐enhanced sweet corn, it is necessary to improve their seed vigour assessment. Seed vigour status of eight super sweet and eight sugar‐enhanced sweet corn hybrids was examined by standard germination, stress resistance, physiological and biochemical tests, and field emergence tests. Analysis of variance showed significant differences between sweet corn genotype and seed vigour. However, vigour assessment was different with different tests. Correlation analysis revealed that volatile aldehyde was the optimal index for seed vigour assessment of super sweet corn and dehydrogenase activity was the optimal for sugar‐enhanced sweet corn. On the basis of correlation analysis, regression equations were established for predicting field emergence performance. Verification experimentation suggested the established regression equations were very reliable.