PRECONDITIONING REDUCES THE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DRYING INJURY IN CORN SEED

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Abstract
The characteristics of drying injury and drying tolerance of corn (Zea mays L.) seed were investigated on the inbred lines A632, B73, and Mo17. Initial drying at low temperature (preconditioning) to 30–39% seed moisture rendered high-moisture seed in most cases tolerant to subsequent drying at 50 °C. Drying at 20 or 35 °C resulted in more rapid and complete preconditioning of ear samples than storage at slow- or non-drying conditions. Drying of shelled samples at 35 °C did not accelerate the preconditioning effect compared with slower drying ear samples. Physiological factors other than moisture content are important criteria of high-temperature tolerance. These results offer an opportunity to more clearly define corn seed drying and begin to explain drying tolerance.