Migration of Oil Bodies in Embryo Cells during Acquisition of Desiccation Tolerance in Chemically Defoliated Corn ( Zea mays L.) Seed Production Fields

Ashley N. Dean, Katharina Wigg, Everton V. Zambiazzi, Erik J. Christian, Susana A. Goggi, Aaron Schwarte, Jeremy Johnson and Edgar Cabrera
Additional contact information
Ashley N. Dean: Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Katharina Wigg: Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Everton V. Zambiazzi: Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Erik J. Christian: Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Susana A. Goggi: Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
Aaron Schwarte: Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA 50131, USA
Jeremy Johnson: Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA 50131, USA
Edgar Cabrera: Corteva Agriscience, Johnston, IA 50131, USA

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-9

Abstract: Chemical defoliation of seed corn production fields accelerates seed maturation and desiccation and expedites seed harvest. Early seed harvest is important to minimize the risk of frost damage while in the field. This newly adopted seed production practice also allows seed companies to plan harvest and manage dryer space more efficiently. However, premature defoliation may interfere with the migration of oil bodies within embryo cells during desiccation and affect seed germination and vigor. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of chemical defoliation on the migration patterns of oil bodies within embryo cells during desiccation. Chemically defoliated and non-defoliated plants from five commercial hybrid seed corn fields were sampled in 2014 and 2015. Whole ears with husks were harvested before and after defoliant application at 600 g H 2 O kg −1 fresh weight (fw), and weekly thereafter until seed reached approximately 300–350 g H 2 O kg −1 fw. Ten embryos extracted from center-row seeds were fixed to stop metabolic processes, then sliced, processed, and photographed using scanning transmission electron microscopy. The oil bodies within embryo cells followed normal migration patterns according to seed moisture content, regardless of defoliation treatment. Seed germination and vigor were verified and were not significantly affected by defoliation. Chemical defoliation is a viable production practice to accelerate seed corn desiccation and to manage harvest and seed dryer availability more efficiently without negatively affecting seed germination and vigor.

Keywords: corn; seed acquisition of desiccation tolerance; oil-bodies migration; physiological maturity; seed quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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