Biochemical changes and physiological quality of corn seeds subjected to different chemical treatments and storage times

Thiago Lucas De Oliveira,Heloisa Oliveira Dos Santos,Elise De Matos Pereira,Renzo Garcia Von Pinho,Karen Marcelle De Jesus Silva,João Lucas Dias Souza

doi:10.1590/2317-1545v42234181

Abstract

Abstract: The chemical treatment of corn seeds is widely adopted for protecting crops at the early stages. However, some molecules interfere in the quality of seeds, especially when stored, by accelerating their deterioration. The objective of this work was to investigate the influence of insecticides on the enzymatic expression and quality of corn seeds subjected to storage. Seeds of the hybrids 2B647PW and SHS4070 were subjected to four different chemical treatments (standard treatment, standard + clothianidin, standard + thiamethoxam, and standard + fipronil) and stored for different periods (0, 3, 6, and 9 months). The quality evaluation included the germination test, first germination count, cold test, and health test. The expression of the enzymes α-amylase, esterase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and alcohol dehydrogenase were determined by the gel electrophoresis technique. The insecticides clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and fipronil reduce the physiological quality of the seeds of hybrid 2B647PW after nine months of storage. The treatment of seeds with the insecticides clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and fipronil reduces the expression of α-amylase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase enzymes after nine months of storage. The enzymes α-amylase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and alcohol dehydrogenase are good quality markers for hybrid corn seeds.

Highlights

Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important grain crops worldwide, and Brazil places third in volume of production (CONAB, 2020)
This study aimed to investigate the influence of insecticide treatments on the physiological quality and health of corn seeds
A triple interaction among the factors hybrid type, storage time, and chemical treatment was observed in the variables germination (G), first germination count (FGC), and cold test without soil (CT) (Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important grain crops worldwide, and Brazil places third in volume of production (CONAB, 2020). This prominent position results from technological advances over the years, including enhancing crop management techniques, the development of genetically superior hybrids, and the use of good quality seeds. Some molecules used in chemical treatments influence the viability of stored seeds, accelerating their spoilage (Deuner et al, 2014; Tonin et al, 2014) In these cases, the progression of the deterioration process is a consequence of oxidative stress caused by the intense production and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cells. The augment in ROS production is a response of the plant tissues to their exposure to foreign molecules, such as insecticides (Bashir et al, 2007; Shakir et al, 2018)

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Conclusion