Investigations were conducted to relate the physical characteristics of cottonseed to germination, subsequent seedling growth and final plant development. Many researchers have postulated that certain physical characteristics of seed are related to germination and seedling vigor. However, they have not studied the individual seed under controlled conditions in a manner which would determine the relationships that actually exist. Seed were selected on a weight basis for field experiments. Treatments with higher seed weights generally showed earlier emergence and a higher percentage of total emergence. Uniformity of production from plants grown from light seed was more adversely affected by a higher plant population than was the production for those grown from heavier seed. In seven out of eight cases the heavier seed produced higher yields than the lighter seed within a commercially separated gravity group. ...

A mechanical probe was used to puncture mature corn (Zea mays L.) kernels. After puncture the kernels were germinated at near optimum conditions. Kernels punctured at 7% moisture had better than 80% germination, while kernels punctured at 28% moisture had over 90% germination. These results indicate that after corn endosperm is punctured, to measure its physical properties, kernels can be satisfactorily germinated. This will allow segregating populations to be tested, and progenies can be grown from selected kernels.