This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of maize seeds of six varieties submitted to the storage in plastic packaging and cloth bags. The moisture content, germination, germination first count, emergence, speed emergence rate, length and dry weight of seedlings were evaluated. During the six months of storage, the seed moisture content did not exceed 13%. The germination and emergency was reduced in both packagings, and in the plastic packaging, the reduction was due to the removal of oxygen from inside the package, while for the seeds stored in cloth bags, it was because of infestations of insect pests and increasing incidence of fungi due the ambient conditions during storage. The varieties performed differently regarding the physiological parameters of quality seeds, depending on the packaging used. The length and dry mass in the two types of storage presented values near or above the initial condition at the end of six months. The maintenance of maize seed physiological quality during storage depends on the variety and type of packaging.
Zea mays L.; plastic packaging; cloth bags
