Hybrid and drying rate effects on seed corn viability

Whole ear, half ear, and shelled corn samples of three hybrids of F1-generation seed corn were dried in thin-layer laboratory dryers. Drying rate was 25% faster for two hybrids than for a third hybrid. Shelled corn dried three times faster, and ears broken in half dried 15% faster than whole ears. The slowest drying hybrid was more susceptible to germination reduction than were the other hybrids. For each hybrid tested, rate of germination loss was faster for shelled corn than for whole ears. Since faster drying causes greater stress on cell membranes, the data support the hypothesis that membrane damage during dehydration causes loss of germination when drying temperatures are too high.