Tratamento inseticida e armazenamento na germinação e vigor de sementes de milho

Abstract

This work aimed at investigating the influence of insecticide treatment, seed size, and storage condition in corn quality of hybrid seeds through six experiments conducted at DuPont do Brasil S. A. Pioneer Seed Division Plant, located in Itumbiara, GO. Seedling emergence field test took place in Campo Alegre Farm, in the municipality of Morrinhos, GO. The six experiments embraced all insecticide seed treatment, with two of them in cold storage at 12oC temperature and 55% humidity control; other two in storage warehouse; and two not stored at all. In both storage conditions, the experiments were different in terms of seed size, including flat seeds also known as C1 (8,92 mm width) and round seeds or R2 (8,13 mm diameter). All experiments were performed in a completely randomized design, with three replications for treatment. The treatments were also distributed in a factorial split plot 5x12, the first factor being formed by the four insecticides treatment and the no insecticide treatment; and the second factor including the 12 commercial corn hybrids. Warm germination test and cold test (vigor) were performed at a quality lab, and the percentage of emerged plants was evaluated at the field during V1 and V2 growth stages. It was concluded the following: the 15-day storage of treated seeds decreased seed germination and vigor, especially in warehouse environment; seed size affects germination and vigor of treated seeds; rounded seeds are more sensitive; corn hybrid seed treatment using carbamate active ingredients doesn t impact on germination neither on field emergence so that to impede seed commercialization; and carbofuran is the most harmful insecticide to the corn seeds, above all when seeds are not planted in the same day of the treatment.