THE EFFECT OF DRYING TEMPERATURE ON CORN SEED QUALITY

Seed produced on three widely grown public corn (Zea mays L.) inbreds were tested for tolerance to drying injury. Inbred parents A632, B73, and Mo17 were grown in 1979 and 1980. The single cross H99 × H95 was used as a pollinator both years. Random ear samples were collected, to obtain ears with moisture percentages ranging from approximately 50 to 20%, and dried to 12% moisture at 35 °C, 40 °C, 45 °C, and 50 °C. Inbred parents were found to differ in tolerance to high drying temperatures. A632 was the most tolerant to high drying temperatures whereas B73 and Mo17 were relatively intolerant. Field performance of dried seed was similar to that observed in laboratory tests. Combined analyses yielded significant inbred-parent by harvest-moisture by drying-temperature interactions for germination and cold-test emergence percentages. These interactions do not allow for simple recommendations of safe harvest moistures and drying temperatures. Components from the combined analysis that had a P > F of 0.30 or les...