Study on the Determination of Maize Seed Vigor by Tetrazolium Staining Imagination

PurposeTo develop a rapid and accurate method for determination of maize seed vigor.

MethodUsing hybrid maize seeds produced in 3 years, the embryos of the maize embryos were stained with tetrazolium, and then digital microscope (Smart Zoom 5) was used to photograph and obtain tetrazolium staining imagination of maize embryo structure, the stained area and the extent of the staining of the radicle, hypocotyl, plumule and cotyledon (scutellum) of seed embryo were measured, the correlation analysis was made with the field emergence of maize seeds.

ResultThere was a significant correlation between seed and field emergence when all parts of maize embryo structure were staining and the staining color was red, the correlation coefficient was 1.000; and there was a significant negative correlation between the field emergence and the seeds stained in white or light color (pink), or only part of embryo structure staining, and the correlation coefficient was −0.905, −0.921 and −1.000, respectively.

ConclusionWhen the seed embryo is staining with all the embryo structures and the color is red, the seed can emergence in the field and be judged to be vigorous seeds. On the contrary, the seed embryo is staining with part of the embryo structures and the color is red; the seeds embryo structure stained in white or light color (pink), the seed cannot emergence in the field and be judged to be non-vigorous or non-viable. This conclusion is for TTC staining method used for determination of maize seed vigor directly, which is a rapid, accurate, practice and economy technical method, could be used for seed quality testing institutions and seed companies for seed vigor assessment.