Physiological quality, initial establishment and yield of wheat according to the seed treatment method

Abstract

New technologies are being incorporated to the seed treatment process, such as the use of products on industrial scale. This study aimed at evaluating the seed quality of wheat cultivars, as well as the influence of the seed treatment method on the establishment and yield of this crop. Seeds of the cultivars Jadeite 11, Quartzo and Tec Frontale were treated with the Spectro^® fungicide (difenoconazole - 200 mL 100 kg^-1 of seeds), Cruiser Opti^® insecticide (thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin - 200 mL 100 kg^-1 of seeds) and Polifix G4 polymer (100 mL 100 kg^-1 of seeds). A completely randomized design, with four replicates, was used. The treatments consisted of industrial treatment, on farm treatment with the same products and control. Germination, first germination count and moisture content tests were carried out immediately after the seed treatment and at 30, 90 and 150 days of storage. Seedling emergence in beds was evaluated at 30, 60 and 120 days of storage. Under a randomized block design, seedling emergence and grain yield were evaluated in the field in two sowing seasons. The conventional or industrial seed treatment methods do not reduce the physiological quality and emergence of high-vigor seeds stored for 150 days, under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity. The conventional or industrial seed treatment with diphenoconazole + thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin + polymer does not increase the wheat crop plant stand and grain yield.