Boron and zinc coating of Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5 seeds

Abstract

Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5 has been increasingly used in pasture establishment to intensify production systems and increase yield and quality of forage. However, Brazilian soils are deficient in Boron and Zinc, which are essential elements for plant growth and development. Thus, to improve physical and chemical quality of brachiaria seeds, doses of boric acid (H3BO3) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4.7H2O) were added to the calcium silicate and sand coating of the seeds, using a rotary coater. We tested 11 independent treatments in laboratory and greenhouse, where the seeds were evaluated for physical and physiological quality and the initial growth of the plants. At the end of the evaluations, the collected data were submitted to statistical analysis. There was an increase of up to 320% in seed mass with the seed-coating method tested. The treatment with 10 g H3BO3 + 5 g of ZnSO4.7H2O.kg-1/seeds enhanced plant growth and did not affect the physiological quality of the seeds. Thus, the seeds are ready to be tested in the implementation of pastures. The combinations of 25g H3BO3 + 5 g of ZnSO4.7H2O.kg-1 /seeds and 25g H3BO3 + 15g of ZnSO4.7H2O.kg-1 /seeds reduced seed vigor and are not suitable for seed coating of Brachiaria brizantha cv. MG5