THE EFFECT OF NEGATIVE TEMPERATURE STRESS ON THE MOBILIZATION OF SEED RESERVES FOR GERMINATION AND EARLY SEEDLING GROWTH OF DIFFERENT MAIZE HYBRIDS
Maria CAUȘ, Universitatea de Stat din Moldova
Abstract
The effect of negative temperature stress (NST) of -4°C for 16 hours applied to the seeds of 14 maize hybrids before
germination on the mobilization and translocation of reserve substances from the seed endosperm to germination and
seedling growth was studied. It was established that NTS had a significant impact on the endosperm mass rate (RME)
consumed in the formation of a unit mass of root, epicotyl and respiration, by inhibiting the mobilization of endosperm
mass in the processes of germination and seedling growth. Based on the data obtained, depending on the percentage of
RME used in germination and growth, hybrids were identified with RME values: (i) ≈ 24%-27%, (ii) ≈ 15% - 17% and
(iii) ≈ 5 % - 8%) lower, compared to the controls.
Keywords: maize hybrids, negative temperature stress, seed reserves mobilization, germination, growth.
