Physiological Performance of Common Bean Seeds Treated with Bioactivator with and without Moisture Restriction

Andréia Da Silva Almeida,Cristiane Deuner,Francisco Amaral Villela Villela,Lilian Madruga De Tunes,Adilson Jauer,Geri Eduardo Meneghello,Paulo Dejalma Zimmer

doi:10.4236/ajps.2014.526394

Abstract

The commonbean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important agricultural crop due to its nutritional properties. Insecticides and fungicides employed to control pests and diseases in the common bean may cause as yet unknown effects on the plant’s morphology and metabolism. Bioactivators are complex organic substances, capable of exerting modification upon growth patterns, plant DNA transcription, gene expression, metabolic enzymes and mineral nutrition. Thiamethoxam insecticide has shown positive action on the enhancement of vigor expression, phytomass accretion and the promotion of deeper root systems. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of thiamethoxam on the physiological performance of common bean seeds. Seeds from cultivars Pérola and IAPAR Siriri were treated to thiamethoxam concentrations of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mL&middotkg-1 seed. Physiological quality was measured through tests for germination value, first count, cold test, accelerated aging and seedling shoot and root lengths, all undertaken in the presence and absence of moisture stress. Thiamethoxam stimulated the physiological performance of common bean seeds under moisture stress or in the absence of it, with levels varying according to cultivar and seed lot. The best physiological seed performance was obtained within the range of 200 mL&middotkg-1 seed to 400 mL&middotkg-1 seed.

Highlights

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, whose cropping is important for human consumption due to its high protein content, as well as that of carbohydrates and minerals
Bioactivators are complex organic substances which modify plant growth, and are able to act on plant DNA transcription, gene expression, membrane proteins, metabolic enzymes and mineral nutrition [6]
Considering the need for further research regarding the effect of thiamethoxam and its potential benefits on the treatment of common bean seeds, the present study aimed to evaluate the influence of thiamethoxam on the physiological performance of seeds from this species when germinated under different levels of moisture restriction

Summary

Introduction

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, whose cropping is important for human consumption due to its high protein content, as well as that of carbohydrates and minerals. Management decisions for successful cropping involve, among other things, the relative uncertainty of predicting weather extremes, which has been a major concern for agribusiness entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs must have sufficient information to pursue management decisions with the necessary antecedence, which in some cases must be predicted months in advance [2]. May have unknown effects on plant metabolism as well as cause alterations in plant morphology [3]. The insecticide thiamethoxam has shown positive effects through increased seed vigor expression, biomass accretion, increased photosynthetic rate and development of deeper roots [7]

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