Evaluation of vigour, protein, starch content variations and seed health of hybrid maize(Zea mays L.) under effect of various planting dates and different harvest moisture contents in Moghan area

This experiment was conducted to effect of changes in planting date and moisture content on vigor, protein and starch contents also seed health of corn (var sc704). Experiment was done in field of agricultural and natural resources research center in Ardebil province (Moghan) as randomized complet block in three replications Treats included: three levels of planting dates (10-May, 25- May and 9-june), four levels of seed moisture content at harvest time (30%, 25% and 15%). When cobs reached to desired moisture were air dried for getting 14% moisture content. Then the kernels were separated by laboratory sheller and graded to three sizes flat (7mm), round (6mm) and medium (5.5mm) by three sieves. Measured traits included: blotter test, standard germination, mean time to germination, radicle emergence, seed starch and protein contents. Delay in planting and harvesting caused to reduce in starch and protein content significantly. The highest fusarium infection percentage belonged to produced seeds in the third planting date when harvested with 15% moisture content and the lowest rate belonged to the first planting date 25% harvest moisture content. Delay in planting caused to reduced seed quality and low seed quality was highlighted in delayed harvest. Also the rate of decreasing in round seeds was more than flat and medium seeds so that the second planting date and 15% harvest moisture, resulting in a reduction of about 14 percent in normal seedlings in round seeds. The minimum percentage of germination and vigor were seen in round seeds that produced at the third planting date and harvested by 15% moisture content.