The development of methodologies that estimate seed vigor in response to different
stress conditions is fundamental to screen lots for sowing under specific conditions. Two lots of
AG-122 hybrid were submitted to the controlled deterioration test at 40ºC for different aging
periods (24 and 48 hours) and initial seed moisture content (15, 20 and 25%) to assess the
performance of maize seeds sown under adverse temperatures and water stress. The lots were
assessed after deterioration by the germination test and by electrophoresis patterns of the esterase
isoenzymes and sorbitol dehydrogenase. The results of these assessments were compared to those
of the cold test, which evaluates seedling emergence in substrate moistened to 40% field capacity
and germination under water stress conditions at the water potentials of -0.3, -0.6 and -0.9MPa.
Seeds submitted to controlled deterioration with 15 and 20% moisture for 24 hours allowed the
estimation of seedling emergence under field conditions. The same procedure for seeds with 35%
moisture was efficient to predict the emergence of seedlings in substrate moistened to 40% of field
capacity and seed germination under -0.3 and -0.6MPa water restriction. The germination results
of controlled deterioration of seeds with 20% moisture content for 48 hours correlated with those
of the cold test. The results of different controlled deterioration tests indicated necessity of specific
methodologies for determining the vigor of maize seeds lots as a function of the soil and climate
conditions of the sowing region.