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Effect of Seed Orientation on Emergence and Growth of Corn¹

Corn seed was planted in growth chambers and the field oriented proximal end down (D) and proximal end up (U). The D orientation averaged 10% greater and 3 days earlier emergence and 20% greater penetration of wax-oil mix surface layers. Seedlings with five leaves or less averaged 15% greater root length, 300% greater vertical root penetration, and 20% greater leaf area with the D orientation. Increasing the planting depth from 2.5 to 5 cm decreased the difference in penetration of wax-oil mix layers by 8%. Irrigation decreased the orientation induced differences in root length while good seed-soil contact increased the differences. Seed orientation had no effect on growth with dry soil and poor seed-soil contact. Orientation differences were greatest at an intermediate night-day temperature regime of 15 C to 21 C. Seed orientation was not associated with any differences in mature growth when based on a common stand. Conclusions were: 1) Corn planted with D orientation will give earlier, more complete emergence with greater more rapid seedling growth and 2) Corn planted with D orientation is better able to overcome environmental deterrents to emergence and growth than the U orientation.

Key Words: Seedling growth • Emergence force • Tropism

² Former graduate student, now Assistant Professor, California State Polytechnic College, Pomona, Calif.; and Professor of Agronomy, Ohio State University and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

Received for publication January 31, 1970.