Physiological Quality Of Seeds Research Articles

Yield and physiological quality of corn seeds after application of detasseling techniques in two cropping seasons

Detasseling is an essential practice in maize seed production to obtain hybrids. Due the difficulty in carrying out the detasseling in a standardized way, the objective of this study was to evaluate the yield and physiological quality of maize seeds after using detasseling techniques in two cropping seasons. The experiment was carried out in Pitangueiras - PR, using corn progenitors of the commercial hybrid Balu 761. The experimental design was randomized blocks with 4 replications. The factorial scheme was 6 × 2, with 6 detasseling techniques: removal of the tassel only (D0); tassel removal + 1 sheet (D1); tassel removal + 2 leaves (D2); tassel removal + 3 leaves (D3); tassel removal + 4 leaves (D4); and tassel removal + 5 leaves (D5), and 2 cropping seasons: cropping season 1 (2014) and cropping season 2 (2015). The variables analyzed were: seed yield (kg ha-1), germination (%) and seed vigor from the accelerated aging (%) and cold test (%). The results showed that detasseling of maize progenitors of the Balu 761 hybrid must be carried out with the removal of the tassel only, considering that the removal of leaves during this practice is capable of reducing seed yield by up to 25%. The removal of the tassel with up to five leaves does not affect the physiological quality of the maize seeds. The cropping season influenced the seed yield, as well as seed germination and vigor from the cold test

Physiological quality of oat seeds produced by plants treated with mesotrione or tembotrione

Selective herbicides may cause plant stresses as a result of changes in plant physiology or seed formation and development processes, thus affecting the quality of seeds. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of application of increasing doses of mesotrione or tembotrione on the physiological quality of white oat seeds from different cultivars. It is a field experiment carried out in two crop years (2019 and 2020), in a split split-plot randomized block design. The main plots consisted of the cultivars: FAEM 007, IPR Afrodite, UPFA Fuerza and URS Monarca. The subplots were mesotrione and tembotrione; and sub-subplots were doses of each herbicide: 0x;1/4x; 1/2x, 1x and 2 x (x= recommended commercial doses for maize, equivalent to 168.0 g a.i. ha-1 for mesotrione and 88.2 g a.i. ha-1 for tembotrione). Seed germination was 1% lower after application of the 2x dose of the herbicides, compared with control, i.e., there was a slight reduction in the germination of seeds produced in 2019. There was a significant effect of cultivar on germination and vigor. The cultivar UPFA Fuerza showed better performance than the other cultivars, with 96% germination index (GI) and 94% accelerated aging (AA) in 2019, while the best performance in 2020 was achieved by URS Monarca, with 98% GI and 97% AA. It was concluded that the oat seeds had high physiological quality in all treatments tested. The germination and vigor of oat seeds depended on the genotype being used, especially UPFA Fuerza (2019) and URS Monarca (2020), but they were not affected by the herbicides and doses tested

Influence of essential oils on the quality of Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp.) seeds compared by traditional method, image and multivariate analysis.

The extracts of medicinal plants are used for the treatment of seeds in order to reduce the action of phytopathogens and increase the vigor of the seeds. Currently, computerized image analysis has been used to assess the physiological quality of seed lots. The objective was to evaluate the efficiency of the Vigor-S® software in the evaluation of the physiological quality of cowpea seeds treated with essential oils, comparing with a traditional test and the principal component analysis. Two cowpea cultivars were analyzed, BRS Tumucumaque and BRS Guariba, treated with doses of natural extracts of Alfavaca, garlic, horsetail, citronella and pyroligneous acid. The traditional method consisted of evaluations for germination, first germination count, seedling emergence, emergence speed index, accelerated aging, fresh matter and dry matter of seedling and the image analysis for: seedling length, growth index, uniformity index, vigor index, and germination. A Principal component analysis was applied to reduce the number of variables. Horsetail, Alfavaca and citronella extracts were efficient in increasing the physiological quality of the seeds of at least one cultivar. The Vigor-S® software proved to be efficient compared to traditional tests to assess the physiological quality of seeds. Principal Component Analysis is an ally to identify the best extracts and doses to be used. The image analysis method proved to be effective when compared to the traditional method and can therefore be used.

Recovery of Bradyrhizobium cells and effects on the physiological quality of soybean seeds sown in dry soil

Abstract: Farmers sometimes sow soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) in dry soil in the expectation of rain in the short time. However, the forecast may not confirm, letting the inoculated seeds in the dry soil indefinitely. We assessed the survival of inoculated Bradyrhizobium and physiological quality of soybean seeds sown in dry soil. In the first experiment, irrigation was applied with 2 h, 1, 4, 11, 18, or 21 days after sowing; in the second experiment, sowing was carried out 2 h, 1, 5, 12, 14, or 20 days before irrigation. Each time represented a treatment in a completely randomized design. Bradyrhizobium cells dropped from ~8-9 × 104 colony forming units per seed soon after inoculation to -60% at 2 h after sowing in dry soil, and decreased to close to zero with time in both experiments. Although there was no effect on germination (59% and 81% in the first and second experiments, respectively), the exposure to dry soil reduced the emergence speed index from 19.5 (2 h) to 12.0 (21 days) in the first experiment and from 37.8 (2 h) to 13.8 (21 days) in the second. In the first experiment, the number of abnormal seedlings increased from 7% (2 h) to 24% (21 days); in the second, cotyledons showed cracks, which increased from 1% (2 h) to ~50% (≥ 5 days). Sowing in dry soil negatively affects not only the inoculated Bradyrhizobium, but also the physiological quality of soybean seeds.

Treatment with insecticide and fungicide on the physiological quality of lentil seeds.

The low Brazilian productive index and the high demand have aroused interest in the cultivation of lentils, however the legume is little known and needs further studies. The objective of this study was to analyze and identify the effects of treatments with insecticides and fungicides on the physiological quality of lentil seeds, CA-1512 strain. The experiments were conducted in the seed laboratory in a completely randomized design with seven treatments and four replicates. Seed treatment with Thiophanate-methyl; Fluazinam® (180 ml) + Pyraclostrobin; Thiophanate-methyl; Fipronil® (150 ml) promoted higher levels of germination under accelerated aging, lower number of abnormal seedlings and longer lengths of shoot and radicle for the emergence in paper. Treatment with Carboxin; Thiram® (250 ml) + Imidacloprid® (150 ml) allowed a higher value in the first count of germination in sand, lower number of dead seeds under accelerated aging and longer root length, in the emergence in sand. Shoot length in the emergence in sand increased after seed treatment with Metalaxyl-M; Fludioxonil® (75 ml) + Pyraclostrobin; Thiophanate-methyl; Fipronil® (150 ml). Treatments with fungicides and insecticides considerably improved the physiological properties of the seeds, thus being able to guarantee greater phytosanitary qualities in the field, generating healthier seedlings and with protection against possible pests and diseases, and consequently guaranteeing greater productivity.

Physiological quality in seeds of the common bean is aff ected by the period of nutri-priming

Physiological quality in seeds of the common bean is aff ected by the period of nutri-priming

Osmopriming with selenium: physical and physiological quality of tomato seeds in response to water deficit

Abstract: Tomato is a crop sensitive to water deficit and the responses of seeds to germination under these conditions involve biochemical, physiological, and molecular processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical, physiological, and biochemical changes in tomato seeds osmoprimed with selenium (Se) and subjected to water deficit during germination. Tomato seeds of the LA 4050 and LA 3475 accessions were osmoprimed with PEG 6000 solution (-1.0 MPa) plus Na2SeO4 (12.5 μM) or only with PEG 6000 solution for 24 h or unprimed. The seeds from the different treatments were subjected to water deficit (-0.3 MPa) or to control (0 MPa). Image analyses were performed (X-ray), physiological variables were obtained by the germination test and activities of SOD, CAT and POX enzymes were determined. Osmopriming, especially with PEG, provided the seeds of both accessions with higher densities and gray mean when compared to unprimed ones. Seeds under water deficit showed lower physiological performance and lower enzymatic activity. Se did not induce seed resistance to water deficit. Osmopriming with PEG 6000 at -1.0 MPa is an efficient technique for improving the physiological quality of seeds of tomato accessions susceptible and tolerant to water deficit. Moreover, the antioxidant enzyme CAT proved to be an indicator of oxidative stress tolerance in tomato seedlings under water deficit.

SELEÇÃO DE ÁRVORES MATRIZES DE Handroanthus impetiginosus PARA SUBSIDIAR ÁREAS DE COLETA DE SEMENTES

ABSTRACT Handroanthus impetiginosus is a Brazilian native tree threatened by illegal logging that needs conservation strategies. Due to the need to obtain seeds of high genetic and physiological quality, this study aimed to select mother trees, aiming at the installation of Seed Collection Areas of H. impetiginosus. Therefore, the genetic diversity and physiological quality of seeds from 63 individuals of a natural population of H. impetiginosus in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, were evaluated. The molecular markers revealed that the studied population has high intrapopulation genetic diversity (Nei’s genetic diversity = 0.35; and Shannon index = 0.52). Subsequently, germination and seed vigor tests evaluated the physiological quality of seeds from 63 trees. Of this total, 45 individuals produced seeds of high and intermediate physiological quality. Therefore, individuals with a Nei’s genetic distance < 0.72 and germination greater than 50% can be selected as mother trees, and the population has the potential to propose a Seed Collection Area.

Determination of the physiological quality of corn seeds by infrared equipment

Abstract: The use of infrared equipment to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds has become an extremely important technique for the operation, since it is not destructive to the seed and is safe for the operator. The experiment was divided into two stages, in the first, the controlled deterioration curve was carried out, and in the second stage, the validation of the NIR XDS process was carried out, through modeling for classification of the lots. The technique used for controlled deterioration proved to be efficient to show that with a higher band ratio index, the spectrum has a greater amplitude and lower physiological potential, the opposite is also valid, when the band index is smaller, the spectrum amplitude is smaller and higher values of germination and vigor were observed. For the second stage, it was concluded that spectra generated by NIR XDS equipment can be used quickly for decision making on corn seed samples, considering a binary classification for the parameters of germination and vigor according to the approval and disapproval values of lots considered in this study.

Chemical treatment and storage of sorghum seeds produced in different management zones

Abstract: Precision Agriculture considers soil attributes and production aspects to define management zones. Although there is little information, it is likely that seeds produced in different management zones have different quality after chemical treatment and storage. The aim was to evaluate the physiological quality of sorghum seeds produced in different management zones, after chemical treatment and storage. The management zones were defined from interpolated maps of soil and vegetation attributes with the aid of the Smart Map - SMP plugin, in a Qgis environment. After harvest, the seeds were treated with Thiamethoxam, Imidacloprid + Thiodicarb, Fludioxonil + Metalaxyl-M and a control treatment (water). Then, they were stored for 0, 60 and 120 days. The seeds were evaluated for their quality through the following tests: moisture, germination, dry mass of seedlings, electrical conductivity, and accelerated aging. The design was completely randomized in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, with the management zones being analyzed independently. Sorghum seed treatments with insecticides cause greater phytotoxicity during storage in both management zones, unlike the fungicide treatment. Sorghum seeds produced in high-management zones have high physiological quality and less deterioration during storage. Sorghum seeds produced in low-management zones treated with insecticides, as the storage time increases, show lower vigor due to deterioration and phytotoxicity.

Do methods for overcoming dormancy affect the physiological quality of okra seeds?

Do methods for overcoming dormancy affect the physiological quality of okra seeds?

Herbicidas dessecantes na antecipação da colheita e melhoria da qualidade de sementes de grão-de-bico

ABSTRACT Desiccating herbicides can promote uniformity of maturation, and early harvest and provide improvements in the physical, physiological, and sanitary seeds quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the use of herbicides in early harvest and in the physiological quality of chickpea seeds. The experimental design was of randomized blocks with four replications, considering a complete factorial design with one control (no application) + two factors (four herbicides x three different doses): glufosinate-ammonium (200, 400 and 500 g a.i./ha); diquat (200, 400 and 500 g a.i./ha); carfentrazoneethyl (15, 30 and 37.5 g a.i./ha) and saflufenacil (49, 98 and 122.5 g a.i./ha). Saflufenacil (49 g a.i./ha) showed the lowest harvest anticipation (4 days) and a low percentage of vigor (50.25%). Glufosinate (400 g a.i./ha), was the most promising as it increased germination to 83.75% and vigor to 78.25%, in addition to promoting the anticipation of harvest by up to 17 days, while the normal cycle of the crop, observed in the control, was 154 days.

Processing on the physical and physiological quality of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds

Abstract: Processing consists of sequential operations aimed at cleaning, classifying, and treating seeds, with the goal of improving the quality of the lot. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the processing stages on the physical and physiological quality of chickpea seeds, cultivar BRS Cícero. Seeds were sampled before processing and after passing through the air screen machine (upper sieve of 12 mm and lower sieve of 7.5 mm), elevators, storage silo, and gravity table (upper discharge, high intermediate, low intermediate, and lower discharge). The seeds were evaluated for moisture content, physical purity, germination test, electrical conductivity test, emergence in sand, emergence speed index, accelerated aging, and tetrazolium test. The processing resulted in increased physical purity and reduced percentage of broken seeds in the lot of chickpea seeds. Seeds collected from the upper and intermediate chutes of the gravity table showed higher germination values. Seed processing using the air screen machine and the gravity table is effective in improving the physical and physiological quality of the lot of chickpea seeds, cultivar BRS Cícero.

Efeito do estádio de maturação de frutos e reguladores vegetais na qualidade fisiológica de sementes de Maracujá Doce

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fruit maturation stages and pre-germination treatments with plant regulators on the physiological quality of seeds of cv. BRS Mel do Cerrado. Two experiments were carried out, germination and emergence, installed in a completely randomized design in a 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, with three stages maturation (1-partially ripe fruits; 2-fully ripe fruits and 3-senescent fruits) and two pre-germination treatments (1. [GA4+7 +N-(phenylmethyl)-aminopurine (300 ppm)] and 2. distilled water), forming six treatments with four replications of 50 seeds. The evaluated characteristics were germination percentage at 14 and 35 days, germination speed index (GSI), emergence percentage and emergence speed index (ESI). Germination at 14 days, GSI and seedling emergence were not affected by the maturation stage, however germination and GSI were higher when the plant regulator was used. The final percentage of germination was higher in seeds taken from partially ripe fruits and treated with regulators and a higher ESI was observed for seeds from senescent fruits and treated with regulator. Seeds treated with plant regulators are more vigorous and have a higher rate of seedling emergence.

Qualidade fisiológica de sementes de genótipos de Passiflora mucronataLam. com o doador de óxido nítrico e estresse salino

Abstract The presence of salts in the soil solution reduces the osmotic potential, hindering water absorption by roots. However, plants have defense mechanisms against stresses, releasing signaling molecules, in which nitric oxide plays an important role in the abiotic stress. This study aimed to assess the physiological quality of seeds from Passiflora mucronata Lam. genotypes pre-conditioned with the nitric oxide donor Tadalafil kept under salt stress. Seeds from nine P. mucronata genotypes evaluated under four nitric oxide donor Tadalafil concentrations : 0.0, 1.5, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 mg L-1, applied by soaking seeds for two hours, followed by washing in running water and germination in germitest® paper moistened with NaCl at -1.2 MPa. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, with four replicates of 25 seeds. The nitric oxide donor Tadalafil, at concentrations of 1.5 and 2.5 mg L-1, increased the germination speed, shoot length, and dry mass. Pre-conditioning of seeds with the nitric oxide donor Tadalafil at concentrations of 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, and 12.5 mg L-1 determined the death of seeds. Seeds from genotype G3, pre-conditioned with Tadalafil at concentrations of 1.5 and 2.5 mg L-1, presented higher germination, germination speed index, mean germination time, shoot length, root length and dry matter values. Genotypes presented distinct phenotypic responses, providing intraspecific divergence.

Validation of the paper roll plus vermiculite (PR+V) germination test methodology for treated corn seeds

Abstract: A germination test is required by Brazilian standards for seed commercialization. The use of an adequate methodology that expresses the real physiological quality of seeds and minimizes possible phytotoxicity by chemicals is important for the production chain. In this context, the aim was to evaluate and validate the paper roll plus vermiculite (PR+V) germination test methodology for use in corn seeds. Two hybrids, one sensitive and the other tolerant to seed treatment, both with different vigor levels and under different chemical treatments, were used. Ten laboratories accredited by the Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária (MAPA) were selected to perform and evaluate the PR+V germination tests. The data were subjected to statistical procedures to estimate the repeatability and reproducibility and check the accuracy and robustness of the test. The data were accurate, robust, and precise within the critical limits of 1 and 5%. The statistical results for repeatability, reproducibility, and bounds of the Mandel test were also accurate and precise at the critical limits of 1 and 5% for the normal seedlings evaluated by the PR+V methodology. Thus, the methodology can be used routinely to test corn seeds, especially those treated with phytosanitary products.

Delinting and neutralizers residue effect on stored cotton seeds physiological quality determined by phenotyping image analysis

Abstract: The cottonseed delinting removes lint from the seed coat to improve plantability and maintain the seed’s physiological quality, therefore, this work aimed to determine the effect of delinting and neutralizers’ residual on the physiological quality of stored cottonseed by using image analysis phenotyping. The experiment was a randomized factorial design of 3 x 4 x 2 and two periods of storage evaluation (0 and 180 days). The cotton seeds were delinted at three different times (2, 4, and 10 minutes), neutralized using four distinct neutralizers (Quicklime, Hydrated lime, Filler lime, and NaOH), and there were seeds with and without neutralizer residue. The evaluations carried out were: water content, seed residual lint imaging, germination, seedling emergence, and seedling length imaging. The neutralizers Quicklime, Hydrated lime, and Filler lime do not need removal from the cotton seed coat. In storage, only the neutralizer NaOH has a high latent effect in lowering cottonseed quality, and the other neutralizers have lower physiological quality when the residue is removed. The image analysis phenotyping is efficient in identifying seedlings’ vigor.

Physiological quality of Moquiniastrum polymorphum seeds processed with a general seed blower

This study evaluates the physiological quality of Moquiniastrum polymorphum seeds, processed by a General seed blower, based on their germinability at different temperatures and on the imbibition curve, aiming to support future studies of M. polymorphum seeds processed by a General seed blower. Seeds were characterized regarding moisture, purity, germinability and thousand seed weight. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD). To characterize the triphasic process of germination, the imbibition curve during seed germination was modelled using 2 samples of seeds weighing 0.05 g. Physiological seed quality was assessed using a thermogradient table at 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C (with constant light supply) and by calculating the germination speed index (GSI), along with the time to reach 50% germination (T50) and uniformity of germination (U75-25). Each temperature treatment included 4 replications of 50 seeds each. It was found that the optimum temperature for germination was 30 °C with constant light supply, resulting in higher means of normal seedlings, GSI, T50 and U75-25. Moreover, the imbibition curve at 30 °C and constant light supply exhibited a triphasic pattern common to seed germination. In conclusion, the new findings on the germinative potential of M. polymorphum seeds processed by a General seed blower uncovered here can be applied in the methodology of future studies of M. polymorphum or used as recommendations for species of the same genus

Effects of cushion box and closed let-down ladder usage on damage to corn during handling: physiological deterioration

BackgroundCorn seeds have a high susceptibility to mechanical damage due to their large size and mass. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the cushion box and closed let-down ladder usage in minimizing the negative influence of the free fall on the storage potential of corn seeds. Corn seeds were evaluated for the extent of physiological damage by measuring the seed deterioration by the accelerated aging test (percentage loss in germination in the accelerated aging test), using three drop methods (free fall, with cushion box, and with closed let-down ladder) at three drop heights (5, 10, and 15 m) and five different moisture contents (10, 15, 20 and 25%).ResultsThe drop methods had a significant effect on the storage potential of corn seeds. Sample seeds dropped without a ladder (free fall) had a significantly higher average physiological quality loss of 13.87% (loss in accelerated aging germination). In the use of the cushion box, the average percentage loss in germination was calculated to be 11.38%, which was decreased by about 18% more than the free fall. Sample seeds dropped with the closed let-down ladder had a lower average percentage loss in the germination of 8.78%, which showed that the closed let-down ladder significantly helped to reduce mechanical damage to corn seeds by about 37% comparing free fall and by about 23% to the use of the cushion box. The amounts of loss in physiological quality of corn seeds increased significantly with increasing drop height and moisture content, but the use of the cushion box and closed let-down ladder systems somewhat reduced the adverse effect of the above factors. Empirical models were developed for the dependency of physiological damage to corn seeds due to the impact caused by free fall, on the drop height and moisture content at different drop methods.ConclusionsTo minimize mechanical damage to seeds as they fall into the bin, a let-down ladder should be installed in the bin so that it can receive seeds from the filling spout with minimum damage.

Viability and vigor of soybean seeds as a result of industrial seed treatment and stored in different environments

The industrial seed treatment (IST) of soybeans is an economically recommended technique in agricultural production, providing protection against pests and initial pathogens. However, the real effects of pesticides about the quality of soybean seeds are still little known, since the adoption of the system is still recent by soybean farmers. The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds, treated or not, with insecticide/ fungicide new mixtures and stored for 240 days in a non-controlled and controlled environment. The completely randomized design was used, distributed in a 5 x 2 x 6 factorial scheme with four replications. The plot treatments consisted of soybean seeds belonging to the cultivar M - 7739 IPRO, treated with six different insecticide/ fungicide mixtures {(Cruiser®); (Amulet®); (MaximAdvanced®); (Cruiser®+ MaximAdvanced®); (MaximAdvanced® + Amulet®); (untreated control)}, stored in two environments {(laboratory – without control and cold room – with control (10 ± 2 ºC,45± 2% UR)} for eight months of storage with five evaluation times (0; 60; 120; 180 and 240days). The following tests were carried out: water content, germination, first count, seedling length and seedling dry mass. It was found that the chemical treatments negatively affect the germination potential of seeds, especially after 120 days of storage, regardless of the environment.Thiamethoxamand Thiamethoxam + Metalaxil; Tabendazole; Fludioxonil after storage provided the biggest reductions in seed viability and vigor after 240 days of storage. The cold room environment provides better conditions for the conservation of the germinative potential of soybean seeds.