Biomasa acumulada e intercambio gaseoso en maíz proveniente de semilla de diferente tamaño bajo humedad favorable y restringida: (con 3 tablas)

The germination speed and seedling growth of maize seed of two dif- ferent sizes was evaluated. To determine the differences in the biomass production during the vegetative stage from different seed size, considering the effects of hu- midity on seedling physiological status. A larger amount of biomass in endosperm and embryo allowed greater availability of reserves during the later stage of the germination; previous to emergency resulting in a high seedling vigor and a most accumulation of as much radical biomass as aerial during the vegetative stage, the water restriction during the germination and the vegetative stage of these plants caused a decrement of 72,6% in the aerial biomass accumulation in big and small seed plants, due to a diminution from diverse physiological processes such as sto- matic conductance, transpiration and photosynthetic rate.