PHYSIOLOGICAL MATURATION IN SEEDS OF SWEET SOGHUM FOR FOLIAR FERTILISATION WITH SILICATE

Bruno França Da Trindade Lessa,Camila Castro Santos,Alek Sandro Dutra,Wesley Do Nascimento Sousa,Tatiana Maria Da Silva

doi:10.1590/1983-21252017v30n320rc

Bruno França Da Trindade Lessa, Camila Castro Santos + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/1983-21252017v30n320rc

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Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate physiological quality in seeds of sweet sorghum grown under semi-arid conditions, and to determine the age of physiological maturity of the seeds as a function of the foliar application of potassium silicate. The experiment was carried out at the Curu Valley Experimental Farm, in Pentecoste in the state of Ceará, during the rainy seasons of 2014 and 2015. The BRS 506 and BRS 511 varieties were used, under foliar fertilisation with potassium silicate at doses of 500, 1000 and 1500 mL.ha -1, in addition to the control lots (with no application); harvesting was at four periods, 30, 37, 44 and 51 days after full bloom (DAB). The percentage and speed of germination were evaluated, together with the accelerated ageing test and seedling growth. The seeds presented greater than 90% germination from 37 DAB, reaching high seedling vigour at 51 DAB. Foliar fertilisation with potassium silicate under the conditions of the experiment resulted in an increase in the physiological quality of the seeds. The BRS 506 and BRS 511 cultivars displayed the highest physiological quality between 49 and 53 DAF.

Highlights

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is used as feedstock in the production of first-generation ethyl alcohol, both in small distilleries and in large factories during the sugarcane off-season (RATNAVATHI et al, 2011; MAY et al, 2012)
The seeds produced in cycle 1 (2014) showed a variation in water content of between 13% and 19%, with no differences (p> 0.05) due to variety or to fertilisation with the potassium silicate
The response has more to do with the panicles harvested in the second cycle having far fewer seeds than in the previous year; in 2015, there was severe bird predation and seeds were only found at the apex of the most external panicles, i.e. there were few seeds in direct contact with the environment, causing greater desiccation

Summary

Introduction

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is used as feedstock in the production of first-generation ethyl alcohol (ethanol), both in small distilleries and in large factories during the sugarcane off-season (RATNAVATHI et al, 2011; MAY et al, 2012) This type of sorghum, despite having lower technological indices compared to sugarcane, the main raw material for the domestic sugar and alcohol industry, has a shorter cycle, of between 100 and 130 days; is propagated by seeds, which facilitates mechanised planting of the crop; and has significant resistance to water scarcity (BLUM, 2004; MAY et al, 2012; GIACOMINI et al, 2013). Monocot species are known to respond well to silicate fertilisation These plants have the capacity to accumulate this mineral in leaf and stem tissue (SOUSA et al, 2013; HAYNES, 2014), promoting indirect beneficial effects, such as resistance to pests, diseases, water scarcity and lodging, and better photosynthetic conditioning, as already demonstrated in sugarcane, maize, rice and grain sorghum (PEREIRA et al, 2004; BARBOSA et al, 2008; SOUSA et al, 2010; SOUSA; KORNDÖRFER; WANGEN, 2010)

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