Validation of the methodology of the germination test using a rolled paper plus vermiculite for treated soybean seeds

Abstract

The use of an appropriate germination method is crucial to allow expression of the germination potential of the seed lot, especially when the seeds are treated with phytosanitary products, since phytotoxicity can occur in some substrates and under some conditions and the germination values will be underestimated. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the methodology of germination in a rolled paper plus vermiculite (RP+V) and the possibility of its statistical validation for routine use in laboratories. Four seed lots of two cultivars with different vigor levels and chemical insecticide treatments (control, thiamethoxam + cyantraniliprole, clothianidin + fipronil, and imidacloprid + thiodicarb, all seeds were treated with fungicide) were used. The samples were prepared and sent to 13 laboratories accredited by the Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária (MAPA) for germination assessment with RP+V. The collected data were analyzed using statistical methodologies to assess the repeatability and reproducibility of the method, as well as its precision and accuracy. The data from normal soybean seedlings evaluated using the rolled paper plus vermiculite (RP+V) methodology show repeatability, reproducibility, precision, and accuracy within the critical parameters of 1% and 5%. The proposed methodology is reliable and can be routinely implemented in evaluation of soybean seeds, especially those treated with phytosanitary products.