Viability testing of maize landraces accessions from MRIZP gene bank

Large number of accessions, usually stored in gene banks, makes the regeneration very expensive, involving at the same time risks to the genetic integrity of accessions. Therefore, monitoring viability of stored seeds is a very important operation in gene banks. In 2013, monitoring for seed viability was conducted on 703 local maize landraces from Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje (MRIZP) gene bank. According to the results of germination test under laboratory conditions on filter paper (BP, 20 double left right arrow 30 degrees C, ISTA Rules), 49 local landraces were chosen for additional germination testing in field and under laboratory conditions using sand as a growing media (S, 20 double left right arrow 30 degrees C, ISTA Rules). For testing in sand, extended period of germination monitoring (ISTA Rules, 5.6.4) was applied, while for evaluation of abnormal seedlings less strict criteria than those in ISTA Rules were used. Statistical analysis, showed that the determination of seed viability in the field (24th day) was in the best accordance with the results of germination testing in sand (counting on the 7th day). It was noticed that the extended evaluation in sand did not contribute to more precise results. Also, correlation analysis revealed the existence of a trend, indicating that higher germination rate was associated to higher level of kernel hardness