Genotypic Variation of Different Maturity Groups of Maize (Zea mays L.) for Seed Physiological Quality

Maize genotypes of different maturity groups with good seed quality had been developed, but there is little or no information on how the seed quality of the maize genotypes are affected by their maturity groups. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate maize varieties of different maturity groups for seed quality and determine genotypic variations that exist within the different maturity groups of maize for seed quality. Laboratory experiments were conducted in the Seed Science Laboratory of the Department of Crop Production and Protection, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Seeds of sixteen maize genotypes of different maturity groups were subjected to imbibition, germination, accelerated ageing, conductivity and seedling vigor tests. The late maturity group (TZLCOMP.4DTF2,TZLCOMP. 1C6/DT.SYN-1-W, WHITEDTSTR/TZLCOMP.1-W, OBASUPER1) gave the best viability, speed of germination and days to complete germination while the extra early maturity group (2009TZEE-ORISTRQPM, 2000SYNEE-WSTR,2013TZEE-WDTSTR, TZEE-WPOPDTC2STRC5F2) had the least performance. The early (2014TZE –YDTSTR, 2013DTESTR–WSYN, EVDT-2000STRC0, 2009DTEWSTRSYN) and extra-early maturity groups had the longest root length and highest root number respectively. However, the different maturity groups of maize evaluated imbibed water at the same rate. TZEE-WPOP DT STR C5 F2, 2013 DTE STR – W SYN, AFLATOXIN R-SYN2, TZL COMP.1 C6/DT. SYN-1-W among extra early, early, intermediate and late maturity groups respectively performed best for viability and vigor tests.