IOSR Journal of Agriculture and Veterinary Science (IOSR-JAVS) e-ISSN: 2319-2380, p-ISSN: 2319-2372. Volume 11, Issue 6 Ver. II (June 2018), PP 32-40 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2380-1106023240 www.iosrjournals.org 32 | Page Germination of Corn (Zea Mays L.) Cultivars Seed and Its Relationship to Field Performance under Semi - Arid Conditions Zakeyeldinn E. A. Khalid 1 , Mustafa M. A. Elballa 2* , Chang Jinghua, 3* Tinashe Zenda. 4 1 (Department of agronomy, College of Agriculture/ Hebei Agricultural University, China) *2 (Department of Horticulture, College of Agriculture/ University of Khartoum, Sudan) *3 (Department of agronomy, College of Agriculture/ Hebei Agricultural University, China) 4 (Department of agronomy, College of Agriculture/ Hebei Agricultural University, China) Corresponding Author: Zakeyeldinn E. A. Khalid Abstract: This study intended to evaluate seed vigour of Hybrid maize and cultivars under semi arid conditions in Sudan. Two experimental were conducted. First one laboratory tests involved standard germination, speed of germination, seedling fresh and dry weights, shoot and root lengths, and electrical conductivity. The second one was field emergence, to assess speed of emergence, seedling fresh and dry weights, shoot and root lengths, and number of leaves. The laboratory tests was laid out as completely randomized and randomized complete block design for field emergence.(LSD) least significant differences and Correlation relationship was analyzed between the above tested values and vigour performances evaluated. The results showed that there was a significant difference among the cultivars in the above tests, and they were all suitable to evaluate seed vigour of maize seed. Germination percentage showed consistently close relation with field emergence, thus it was found to be the best indicator of field emergence in maize seed germination under semi - arid conditions. Keywords: Maize Seed, Germination, Vigour test, Semi arid, E.C, Field emergency. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 16-06-2018 Date of acceptance: 02- 07-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Maize (Zea mays L.), known in USA as corn, is the third most important crop after wheat and rice in the world and grown in many countries over the world [1]. In Sudan, maize is grown mainly for human consumption. It is consumed as green maize fresh on the cob, or is baked, boiled or roasted. The grain can also be dried, ground and boiled into porridge or fermented into beer [2]. Moreover the need to avail more food is necessary with the observed increase in Sudan population. Sorghum, wheat and millet constitute the main staple food crops for people in the country [3]. Food shortage may sometimes arise due to erratic rainfall or bad weather, maize as a promising cereal crop, can safely participate in alleviating the problems of food shortages. Being a high yielding cereal, maize can assist in solving hunger and malnutrition crises for the inhabitants of conflict areas. Maize is also a good fodder crop that can contribute in solving the scarce fodder supply for the huge animal herds in Sudan, in addition to its multi industrial uses [4]. In addition, maize is used as a forage crop in dairy farms, because it is a good source of carbohydrates, besides, it contains almost 7.7% crude protein, 4.6% digestible protein, and 55.2% total digestible nutrient elements [5]. Maize can also be used as good silage due to the high ratio of sugars contained in maize silage such as dissolved sugar (62.8%) and ashes 2.6%, [4]. Although maize has long been considered a minor crop and grown mainly under rain-fed conditions in Kordofan, Darfur areas in the Northern states, recently, more attention has shifted towards the crop. Expansion has been noticed under the Gezira Irrigation Scheme - Blue Nile and White Nile Schemes under various governmental projects [6]. The increasing demand for maize for poultry feed or intermediary products for human nutrition have led to greater interest in this crop in Sudan [6]. Quality maize seed availability is required for sowing to ensure successful crop establishment, but non availability of such seeds is a limiting factor in boosting some countries maize production. Seed vigour is the most acceptable form for evaluating seed quality. It has been defined as the sum of properties that determine the activity and performance of seed lots of acceptable germination in a wide range of environments [7]. Seed vigour comprises those properties, which determine the potential for rapid uniform emergence and development of normal seedlings under a wide range of field conditions [8]. It is therefore a comprehensive characteristic that is an important index of seed quality and is closely correlated with field performances.