The amount and timing of nitrogen application can favor seed quality, such as increasing protein content, which is an important constituent for embryo development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological quality of sweet corn seeds collected from plants cultivated with different dosages and timings of nitrogen top-dressing applications. Seeds of the BR 400 variety (Super Sweet) were used obtained from plants submitted to dosages of 0, 40, 80 and 120kg ha-1 of N in two top-dressing applications (vegetative and reproductive stages). The weight of 100 grains, germination, first count of germination test, dry weight of normal seedlings from the germination test, seedling growth, cold test, accelerated aging, tetrazolium vigor and electric conductivity and emergency speed rate were determined. Data was submitted to an analysis of variance using the F-test at the 5% level and second degree regression analysis. The dosage and time of application of nitrogen top-dressing did not affect seed weight or the germination of sweet corn seeds. An increase of the N top-dressing dosage, applied in the vegetative stage reduced the length of the aerial part, the root and the whole seedling.
Zea mays; vigor; germination; late nitrogen fertilization
