Laser irradiation effects on maize seed field performance

The effects of low intensity laser irradiation on Zea mays L. seed field performance were studied. A factorial of three intensities and six times of GaAlAs laser radiation, with an output power of 30 mW and wavelength of 660 nm, was applied pre-sowing to seeds from a low (78%) germinating single cross hybrid. The laser seed irradiation significantly increased seedling emergence rate, seedling dry weight and field emergence. The highest positive responses were found when the treatment times were 30 and 60 seconds and the intensities 3.2 and 20 mW/cm² respectively. An intensity of 20 mW/cm² for one minute produced highly significant (P≤0.01) increases in seedling emergence rate (43%), in dry weight (63%) and emergence (48%) compared to the control (without irradiation). From these preliminary results, laser irradiation seed enhancement technology deserves further investigation in maize.