Seed size affects productive parameters in Sudan grass

Abstract

The use of larger seeds may improve the initial development, plant stand, and mass productivity in forage crops. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the size of seeds of Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense L.), standardized on density, on parameters of physiological quality and crop productivity. Seeds were processed in a gravitational table in order to become uniform in terms of density and then submitted to sieves with apertures of 1.75 or 2.00 mm. Three different treatments (seeds without size classification, seeds with diameter between 1.75 mm and 1.99 mm, and seeds with diameter above 2.00 mm) were compared. This study consisted of a laboratory stage for the analysis of physiological variables of seed, and a stage in field plots under a randomized block design and 3 replicates. Larger seeds presented better physiological and productive performance and had a higher germination rate, seedling growth, and forage yield at the first cut. Both the sieve with opening of 1.75 mm and that of 2 mm were suitable for processing of seeds of this species.

Quality of millet seeds at different positions of the panicle

“…In a study with eight millet varieties, Sugri et al (2011) verified that plants derived from bigger seeds develop faster until they reach the phenological phase with three to five leaves. Thus, the producer can anticipated the gains, due to the shorter period until the first cut of the forage plant (Bernardi et al 2019).…”

“…Separating only the seeds from the proximal 1 portion, that is, those with lower germination, only 13.03 % of the seeds would be discarded, increasing the total germination of the lot. Bernardi et al (2019) studied the physiological quality of Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense L.) seeds of different sizes, standardized based on density, and concluded that bigger seeds promote superior rates of seedling germination and growth, in addition to a higher forage yield until the first cut of the crop. Silva et al (2015), evaluating the effect of the position of passion fruit seeds, in terms of germination and emergence, did not verify any interference in seed quality as a consequence of their distal, median or proximal position.…”

Eucalyptus citriodora, E. phaeotricha and E. propinqua seeds subjected to classification by sieves

“…This behavior was also reported for E. maculata, by Silva et al (1994), E. grandis, E. robusta, and E. urophylla seeds (Jeromini et al, 2021) Guaranteeing pure seeds is difficult using only a set of sieves to separate seeds of the same size, as occurred with the seed lot of E. propinqua, as it is possible to verify in small seed processing works. Therefore, the need to carry out more seed processing studies, to guarantee the obtaining of pure seeds for commercialization is required (Araújo et al, 2011, Caldeira et al, 2016, Melo et al, 2016, Melo et al, 2018, Bernardi et al, 2019.…”

“…Therefore, classifying them by size using classifying sieves has been suggested, which aims to obtain purer seeds, uniform classes and an easy handling of seeds (Melo et al, 2016, Bernardi et al, 2019. In addition, classification by sieves can enable the adoption of techniques that aim to mechanize sowing more precisely, such as the pelletizing process, an activity that consists of covering the seeds to increase their size and plantability (Walker et al, 2011;Santos, 2016).…”

“…Physiological quality, or germination and vigor in other words, is influenced by several factors such as the density and size of seeds (Bernardi et al, 2019;Jeromini et al, 2019). Studies have shown that for E. urophyla S.T.…”