6.
Electrical potentials.
Earlier
reports from Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, and recent evidence
from the University of Florida suggest that electrical potential is correlated
positively with general plant vigor. There is another correlation which has
been consistent throughout a large nunber of electrical potential
deteminations. The following data indicate a correlation between the measurable
electrical potential in maize seed and the original moisture content of the
seeds prior to the soaking period required by the usual measuring techniques.
Table I presents potential readings obtained in 1947 on seed from several lines
of the inbred maize line, Early Butler. Determinations for relative content of
Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium were made through a cooperative program with
the Eastern States Farmers' Exchange and protein and moisture determinations
were made on samples of seed from the same plants used in the N P K analyses. A
positive correlation between moisture oontent and potential reading is evident
(r= 898*)
*significant at 5% level.
Table I
|
Early Butler Line |
Averaged |
% Moisture |
Protein |
N |
K |
P |
|
172‑A26 |
31.7 |
8.90 |
12.70 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
|
172‑A29 |
25.3 |
8.50 |
13.10 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
172‑A52 |
25.2 |
8.30 |
12.90 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|
172‑A43 |
19.3 |
8.45 |
11.95 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
172‑A42 |
12.7 |
8.15 |
11.80 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
|
172A‑3 |
8.3 |
8.10 |
14.40 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
Other tests of seed from ears on which several
different pollen sources (marked by endosperm color Y/y and carbohydrate
content Su/su factors) were used showed a tendency for the field corn or
starchy crosses to have relatively higher electrical potential readings than
the sweet corn or sugary crosses. No indication of maternal inheritance was
obtained as might be expected if electrical potentials were primary in the
maize plant's growth and development. Moisture content tended to be higher in
the starchy kernels, and hence, again correlated to potentials.
Electric potential has been shown in previous
publications to be associated with a favorable, vigorous germ plasm. The
indication of a second positive correlation with moisture content presented
here links seed potential to plant development via the moisture content.
Interpretation of electrical potential as a primary force in plant pattern
formation may thus be altered to present such potentials as secondary or caused
by‑products of cellular activity. This does not necessarily mean that
potential measurements are no longer considered as indicative of basic
differences between one maize seed of high potential and another of relatively
low potential. However, it does seem essential that initial water content be
taken into consideration in interpreting electrical potential variations in
lines of maize.
H. L. Everett