ABSTRACT. Genetic improvement is essential to achieve increments in maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield components. It may be obtained through crosses, which enable to exploit the effects of intervarietal heterosis, allelic complementarity, as well as gene actions and effects. This study estimated the components of variance and genetic parameters (REML/BLUP) of an intervarietal diallel to select and predict the best genotypes for maize yield components. The experimental design was randomized blocks containing 60 intervarietal maize hybrids arranged in three repetitions. They were obtained through intervarietal crosses and evaluated in a diallel scheme, where 14 open-pollinated varieties were designated as parentals. Thus, 10 crosses were performed for each hybrid combination to obtain the number of seeds necessary for the competition test. The measured traits were: grain volume relative index, the mass of one hundred grains, and grain yield. The male parents and the additive genetic fraction were determinants for grain volume relative index. Mass of one hundred grains and grain yield were defined by the specific combining ability, and female parents revealed low narrow sense heritability. The female parent Taquarão and male parent Argentino Amarelo presented the best general combining abilities for the measured traits. The specific combining abilities were expressed for crosses AL 25 x Dente de Ouro Roxo, AL 25 x BRS Pampeano, and Taquarão x Argentino Branco. Genetic estimates and predictions were consistent and applicable to breeding programs and could be applied in future quantitative genetic studies of maize.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects on the physiological attributes of soybean seeds submitted to the seed treatment with addition of insecticide, polymers and micronutrients throughout the storage. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme, with four seed treatments per two seasons of storage of the seeds. The analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction among seed treatments and storage times for both cultivars at 5% of probability, referring to the characteristics of shoot length (SL), primary root length (RL), shoot dry mass (SDM) and dry mass of the primary root (RDM) for the cultivar Fundacep 37 RR. Addition of seed treatments influences the physiological performance of seedlings originated from soybean seeds stored for 240 days. The shoot and primary root lenghts, and shoot dry mass express the isoenzyme esterase through the aerial part and primary root of the seedling, the malate dehydrogenase is expressed in the primary root while in the peroxidase it is evident in the shoot of the seedlings.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of soybean seedlings in different seed treatments. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Mineiros, GO. The soil was classified as Quartzarenic Entisol. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial 5x4, corresponding to seed treatments (Water, Cruiser, Fipronil Alta, Fortenza and Standak Top) in four soybean cultivars (Bonus, Ultra, Extra and BKS7830), in four replications. Before planting, pre-planting desiccation was performed. The fertilization used was 450 kg ha-1 of fertilizer 05-25-15 applied in the furrow and in a single dose next to the sowing. During the conduction of the experiment the control of pests, diseases and weeds were carried out as necessary, respecting the best practices and integrated management. The data obtained were subjected to the assumptions of the statistical model, verifying the normality and homogeneity of the residual variances, as well as the additivity of the model. Uni and multivariate tools were applied. The analysis were performed at the interface Rbio and R. The interaction of soybean cultivars and types of seed treatment showed variations in all analysis evaluated in soybean seedlings. The best performances were verified among the cultivars BKS7830 that expressed the largest shoot fresh matter when submitted to Cruiser seed treatment, while the highest root length was expressed in the cultivar Ultra in the Fortenza seed treatment.

The nutritive value of a dual purpose forage, its structural and morphological composition, seed production capacity are determining characteristics in the selection of a genotype. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of cutting management on yield components, physiological quality of the seeds in the subsequent generation. Experiment I: the field cutting management was performed, and the yield components and the physiological quality of the seeds were evaluated. Experiment II: where the components of plant yield and physiological quality of the seeds were evaluated. The cutting managements affect the components of yield, such as thousand seed weight and seed mass per cob, as well as germination, first germination count and seedling dry mass of dual purpose wheat. In the generation that evaluates the quality of the seeds produced, the cuts do not influence the physiological quality of the seeds, however, they affect the yield components, number of cobs per plant, one thousand seed weight and seed mass per cob.