Abstract

The objective of this research is analysis of ethanol production of maize seed using a fast ethanol assay (FEA). Two varieties of maize were separated into 2 sub-samples with different production years. Germination test, accelerated Aging (AA) test and a single count of radicle emergence (SCRE) were executed for seed qualities testing in all sub-samples. For FEA, a complete 256 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design was used. There were 5 factors with 2 levels that consisted of maize varieties (A and B), seed ages (old and new seed), seed moisture contents (20 and 30% fresh weight basis, FWB), incubation times (3 and 6 hours), and incubation temperatures (40 and 60 °C). These, therefore, consisted of 32 treatment combinations with 6 replications per each treatment combination. Results revealed that there was no significant difference between old seed and new seed of both of varieties in the germination test (Pr≤0.01). This result differed from SCRE's results that old seed and new seed of both varieties could be distinguished by this test. A modified method of FEA using seed moisture content of 20% FWB and incubated maize seed in 40 °C for 6 hours was the optimal condition for separating old seed from new seed in variety A. The FEA result was according to the results of AA test but time period of FEA assessment is less than AA test about 9 days.