Abstract and References
Transactions on Science and Technology Vol. 6, No. 4, 328 - 333, 2019

Preliminary Investigation on the Effect of Centrifugal Force on Germination and Early Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.)

Barka Mshelmbula; Gbenga Akomolafe

ABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the effect of centrifugal force on the growth of maize, an important cereal crop in Nigeria. The maize seeds were subjected to centrifugation for three revolutions (1000g, 5000g, and 10000g) for 2, 4 and 6 hours. The seeds were planted and observed for germination and early growth for seven days. Results revealed that seeds treated with 1000g centrifugal force for 4hrs had the highest germination percentage (70%), while 50% of the control seeds germinated at the end of the 7th day. The radicle length in the 10,000g/2hrs treatment was also the highest (24 cm). However, the highest shoot length was observed in the control plants. This showed that though centrifugal force triggered a rapid and higher germination rate in the treated maize plants, it still did not result in higher shoot length in those plants. The experiment should be extended until the yield or maturity stage in order to have more profound observation on this centrifugal force effect on the maize plants.

 KEYWORDS: Centrifugal; germination; hypergravity; maize; mutant



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