1. Answer Sheet Corn Germination Referee: Seedling Evaluation Arbitre de germination SPR de maïs

2. Red data indicate the error rates
Picture No.
AOSA (51 participants)
M&P (46 participants)
Answer
Normal (+)
Abnormal (-)
unknown
Normal (+)
Abnormal (-) 1 - 13 38 + 9
25%
75%
83%
20% 2 14 37 22 24
27%
73%
48%
52% 3 28 33
43%
55% 2%
28%
72% 4 51 45
100% 0%
98% 5 27 19
59%
41% 6 15 36 29 17
29%
71%
63%
37% 7 44
14%
86% 8*
Photo may not clear 35 11
76%
24% 10 4%
96% 42 8
82%
18%
17% 12 43
93% 7%

3. 1. Note: Split entire length of coleoptile to node
In accordance with M&P
this would be classified
as Normal
Leaf is not badly shredded
or longitudinally split
There is not a deep open
crack in the Mesocotyl
AOSA and ISTA:
Abnormal:
Leaf damaged, coleoptile tip damaged and the coleoptile split more than 1/3 of the length from the tip.

4. 2. Abnormal: Missing primary root with weak seminal roots.
Note: Mixed opinions whether the seminal roots are “weak”, however, the majority of participants concluded seminal roots are insufficient.
This may need further clarity or guidelines in rules for achieving uniformity in evaluation result.

5. 3. Normal: Decay in middle of coleoptile
is from secondary infection, e.g., test conditions either
temperature too warm in
towel, or decayed seedling
adjacent.
Tissue above and below
decayed area is healthy –
indicative of secondary infection.
Decay

6. 4. Normal In towels, there may be considerable twisting
of the shoot system.
The shoot is twisting around
another seedling in the
towel to reach the light or the seed could have been upside down.
Seedlings grown in
the dark or in low intensity
light will exhibit
increased elongation
of the coleoptile and
Mesocotyl (not this photo).

7. 5. Normal: The leaf extends more than ½ way up in the coleoptile.
Hint: Knowing the separation node between the mesocotyl and coleoptile.

8. 6.
Normal for M&P
Leaf is not badly shredded or longitudinally split, no deep crack in the mesocotyl.
Abnormal for AOSA and ISTA
- Leaf damaged, coleoptile tip damaged
if the first leaf has emerged at time of evaluation, seedling is abnormal if the coleoptile has any of the following defects together with damage to the first leaf
--coleoptile split for more than one-third of the length from the tip.
--coleoptile strongly bent over.
--coleoptile tip damaged or missing.
--coleoptile split at any location below the tip.

9. 7.
Abnormal:
The leaf extends less than ½ way up the coleoptile.

10. 8. Abnormal: Split in coleoptile - visible from the beginning
of spiral, and down through mesocotyl.
Tight spiral is considered as normal in rules, but a close exam of the essential structures is necessary, e.g., deep split in mesocotyl.
Note: Photo may not show clearly the crack in the mesocotyl.
split
split

11. 9.
Abnormal:
Deep open crack in Mesocotyl

12. 10. Abnormal Seedling is weak, stunted at the end
of test duration – appears to be some
“browning at point of attachment.
Stubby primary root with weak seminal roots.
browning

13. 11. Normal Two shoots from one seed are normal as long as they are
not fused together and/or provided one is “normal” with no seedling structures impaired.
See M&P:

14. 12. Normal – sufficient growth – all essential structures are
visible and no defects, - healthy shoot and root