Kinetics of dry matter and physiological efficiency in maize seedlings of seeds with two different maturation and shelling conditions

Maximum accumulation of dry matter in maize seeds is indicative of their physiological maturity and it is therefore important to determine whether the harvesting of immature seeds or early shelling affects this accumulation The aim of this study was to determine the kinetics of dry matter accumulation in root and shoot tissues and the physiological efficiency of maize seedlings from seeds harvested at two maturities and in response to shelling conditions. Seeds of the F6 (‘Amarillo’ × ‘V‐54A’) genotype stored for eight months were used. The experiment was conducted over a period of seven days (including zero-day), during which the dry matter accumulation was measured in roots, shoots and the residual seed, both with and without shelling. The absolute and relative growth rates were calculated to graph the physiological efficiency. Dry matter was reduced in immature seeds with early shelling. However, when seeds reached physiological maturity, there was more dry matter in both root and shoot tissues. Early shelling affected the physiological efficiency, however, at physiological maturity, the efficiency of the unshelled seeds was higher. In summary, physiological efficiency was greater in seedlings from unshelled seeds at physiological maturity than those that were immature and shelled.