Abstract
Seeds from the maize /Zea mays L./ variety Kneja 310 and landrace B0E0170 were subjected to controlled accelerated aging test (AA) for 72 hours and 120 hours at temperature 41±0.5°C and 100.0% air relative humidity. For the control variant, not subjected to the АА test seeds were used. After AA test, all seed variants were germinated and were used for an analysis of germination energy. The emerging coleoptiles were studied for the presence of anti-oxidative response (MDA, hydrogen peroxide, cell membrane stability), and morphological parameters and relative chlorophyll content were assessed as well as. A vegetation pot experiment was performed with the AA-72h variant and 15-day seedlings were morphologically and physiologically assessed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the vitality of the seeds and their stress response to the controlled AA test, which simulated low-temperature storage. The germination rate of seeds and the fresh and dry weight of coleoptiles following ageing treatments were decreased. These results correlated well with the increased accumulation of total hydrogen peroxide and MDA content and the decrease of cell membrane stability. Negative changes were observed in chlorophyll content index, fresh and dry weight and leaf area of 15-day seedlings in pot trial. It was concluded that the controlled accelerated ageing could be used as a model for estimation of seed deterioration in maize after long-term storage.
Keywords: accelerated ageing test, maize /Zea mays L./, seed germination, cell membrane stability, oxidative stress.