The invention provides a method for evaluating the maximum elongation characteristics of the mesocotyl and the
coleoptile of
Zea mays. The method comprises the following steps of: (1) carefully choosing
Zea mays seeds; (2) carrying out field planting of
Zea mays materials; (3) analyzing the physical characteristics of Zea mays
selfing line seeds; (4) analyzing the
nutrient quality of the Zea mays
selfing line seeds; (5) observing the maximum elongation characteristics of the mesocotyl and the
coleoptile in the Zea mays
selfing line; and (6) analyzing a result. The method disclosed by the invention takes the Zea mays selfing line seeds with different deep-
sowing tolerance characteristics as a
test material, the maximum elongation characteristics, which perform a main decisive effect for the deep-
sowing tolerance characteristics of the Zea mays, of the mesocotyl /
coleoptile /
seedling length in the corresponding Zea mays selfing line are observed so as to obtain the 12-day-old accumulated mesocotyl length / coleoptile length / sum of the mesocotyl and the coleoptile / ratio of the mesocotyl to the coleoptile of the Zea mays selfing line as well as 22-day-old accumulated
seedling length of the Zea mays selfing line during the maximum elongation characteristics of the mesocotyl / coleoptile /
seedling length, optimal multiple regression equations between the physical characteristics and the
nutrient quality characteristics of the seed and the above 12-day-old accumulated mesocotyl length / coleoptile length / sum of the mesocotyl and the coleoptile / ratio of the mesocotyl to the coleoptile of the Zea mays selfing line as well as 22-day-old accumulated seedling length are established, so that the potential maximum elongation characteristics of the mesocotyl, the coleoptilea and the seedling length of different Zea mays selfing lines can be quickly, nondestructively, objectively and accurately predicted, the Zea mays selfing line with good deep-
sowing tolerance characteristics can be screened, and a technical reference is provided for quick screening and breeding application of the
germplasm resources of the Zea mays selfing line with the good deep-sowing tolerance characteristics.