Research trends on seeds, germination, seed vigour and seedling establishment in maize (Zea mays L.)

摘要

In the present review, recent trends on research on maize seeds and seedling establishment are discussed in brief Several studies are on the biochemistry and biotechnology of maize seeds such as Vpl -mediated repression of alpha-amylase genes, hexosephosphorylation at distinct cellular sites, characterization of thiamine-binding proteins, a transcript encoding a nucleic acid-binding protein, etc. The paper discusses various factors affecting seed viability, biochemistry of germination and seedling development, emergence, photomorphogenesis, seedling establishment such as fungal infection, accelerated ageing, water stress, salinity, cold tolerance, its mechanism and various other factors. The concerted studies need to be undertaken on the genotypicvariability of maize cultivars for various seed and seedling establishment traits and their adaptations to various stress factors and in understanding the mechanism of tolerance to these stress factors.