The objective of the experiment was to evaluate and standardize the germination test under high temperatures to evaluate the vigor of corn seeds. For the experiment it was used six batches of hybrid corn seeds with different levels of vigor and similar germination potential . After the initial characterization of the lots, it was evaluated the influence of temperature of 31, 34 and 37°C on germination, first count, length and dry mass of roots and shoots with lots of different levels of force. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means were compared by Tukey test at 5%, in 3x6 factorial, which corresponded to three combinations of temperatures and six seed lots. The first count, the percentage of germination, length and dry mass, obtained at different temperatures along with the initial characterization data were submitted to the study of simple linear correlation at 5% significance. Temperatures of 31, 34 and 37°C proved to be efficient for the evaluation of maize seed vigor , with emphasis on the temperature of 34ºC which showed higher correlation with laboratory tests of the initial characterization of the lots and also with data emergency and the speed of the emergency field.
Zea mays; physiological potential; thermal stress; seed analysis
