Abstract:

Maize varieties ‘Zhengdan 958’, ‘Jidan 50’, ‘Limin 33’, and ‘Xianyu 335’ were used as experimental materials to study the effects of low-temperature processes and low soil moisture on maize germination. Tests of low temperature and low soil moisture stresses on germination of 4 maize varieties were carried out in the phytotron combined with the regulation of soil relative humidity. The results showed that compared with the suitable temperature condition, the period from sowing to germination of the four varieties were prolonged by 3-9 days when the average temperature was below 10°C for more than 5 days and the relative humidity of the dry soil was between 50%-60%. The experimental data showed that the adverse effect of low temperature on germination and reaching 100% germination rate of maize was stronger than that of low soil moisture. The combined effect of low-temperature processes and low soil moisture on maize germination was more serious than the single effect of low temperature and low soil moisture. The effects of low temperature and low soil moisture on different maize varieties were different. The low temperature resistance was in the order of ‘Xianyu 335’>‘Zhengdan 958’>‘Limin 33’>‘Jidan 50’ while the drought resistance was in the order of ‘Xianyu 335’>‘Zhengdan 958’ and ‘Limin 33’>‘Jidan 50’. The low-temperature and drought resistance was in the order of ‘Zhengdan 958’>‘Xianyu 335’>‘Limin 33’>‘Jidan 50’.

Key words: low temperature, low soil moisture, maize, germination, variety