Effect of intermittent drying on the quality of corn seed

Abstract

The objective of this work was the evaluation of different air temperatures in intermittent drying on the quality of corn seeds, double hybrid AG-162, during the drying process. The study was carried out in three parts named 1, 2 and 3. Each part was made up of three drying methods: natural drying, artificial-natural drying and artificial drying. In the artificial-natural drying and in the artificial drying, air temperatures of 70, 80 and 90°C were used, respectively, during the process named artificial (intermittent drying) . After the drying process, the seeds were stored during six months and evaluation was carried out four times every two months, by determination of moisture content, germination, accelerated aging and cold without soil. In the first and fourth periods, seed infestation, seed health and field emergence tests were put into effect. The analysis and the interpretation of the results, considering the drying process at temperature 70, 8 0 and 90°C and moisture content reducing from 16,5% to 13,0%, permited the following conclusions: a) the intermittent drying did not cause prejudicial effects on the physiological quality of corn seeds; b) the Penicillium spp. incidence on corn seeds may be reduced by means of intermittent drying.