Effect of harvesting time on the seed quality of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) COHM 8 Aswin C.1,*, Geetha R.2, Sujatha K.1, Vanniarajan C.3, Sivakumar T.1 1Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai-625 104, Tamil Nadu, India 2Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Chettinad-630 102, Tamil Nadu, India 3Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Trichy-620 027, Tamil Nadu, India *Corresponding Author: C. Aswin, Department of Seed Science and Technology, Agricultural College and Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Madurai-625 104, Tamil Nadu, India, Email: aswinkumar430@gmail.com
Online published on 6 November, 2023. Abstract Background The present study was aimed to identify the optimum harvest time in hybrid Maize COHM 8 for better seed yield and quality. Seed ability to produce vigorous seedlings is a significant characteristic of any productive crop. The ideal harvest time is one of the factors that contribute to high seed vigor. Methods In this proposed study hybrid maize crop was raised at Agricultural Research Station, Veppanthattai, Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu during 2021-22 and seeds were harvested at five days intervals starting from 40 days after tasseling and evaluated for its vigour through cold test, accelerated aging test, seed leachate test etc in addition to germination test. Result The seed moisture content was optimum in the seeds harvested at 50 days after tasseling. In the cold test, seeds harvested at 50 days after tasseling performed better (germination of 90%) than other days of harvest, whereas seeds harvested at 40 days after tasseling (germination of 50%) resulted least compared to other days of harvest. The vigour test and accelerated aging test revealed that seeds harvested at 50 days after tasseling reached germination of 90%, the required minimum germination as per the Indian minimum seed certification standards (IMSCS) on the 3rd day of accelerated aging against germination of 48% with seeds harvested after 40 days. Hence it can be concluded that seeds could be harvested between 50-55 days for the maize hybrid COHM 8. Top Keywords Accelerated aging test, Cold test, Harvesting intervals, Seed vigour. Top |