Osmotic potential of the substrate on seeds germination and initial development of seedling sweet corn

Abstract

The objective of this work the objective was to evaluate the effect of water stress and salinity on seed germination and initial development of seedlings sweet corn at different osmotic potentials in the substrate. Seeds of cultivar BR 400 (Super Sweet) were germinated in germitest paper moistened with solutions of polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 and potassium chloride (KCl) in the osmotic potentials of 0.0, -0.2, -0. 4, -0.6, -0.8 and -1.0 MPa, in completely randomized experimental design. Seed and seedlings performance was assessed through germination tests, first germination count, percentage of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds, length of aerial part and root of seedlings. The PEG 6000 causes a decrease in seed germination and early growth of seedlings of sweet corn in relation to salt stress with KCl, with reduction in seedling vigor and germination performance of sweet corn seeds.