Prediction of Sweet Corn Field Emergence by Conductivity and Cold Tests

Abstract

Abstract Field-emergence trials and laboratory seed-quality tests were conducted on 45 seed lots of 13 sweet corn ( Zea mays L.) hybrids. Results from standard laboratory germination tests were not correlated with field emergence in 4 field trials. Cold tests conducted in sterile sand and on rolled towels were correlated highly with field emergence. Electrolyte leakage tests conducted on individual seeds with the ASA-610 Automatic Seed Analyzer were superior to bulk-seed measurements with a conductivity meter. By combining the seedling-growth cold test (total seedling dry weight) with the Automatic Seed Analyzer test, multiple correlation values with field emergence ranged from 0.70 to 0.80.