Chemical treatment and storage period influence on physiological characteristics of maize seeds

Abstract

The seeds physiological quality is a fundamental characteristic to obtain competitive and productive plants, where seeds treatment is an important tool to keep seeds physiological high-quality. The present study aimed to evaluate chemical treatments and storage period influence on seeds physiological quality. It was used a factorial (4 x12) randomized complete block design, with eight replications. In factor A, the chemicals (thiamethoxam, metalaxyl + fludioxonil + thiabendazole and pyraclostrobin + thiophanate-methyl + fipronil) and control. In the factor B, the treated seeds storage periods (0, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 and 90 days). The variables evaluated were vigor and germination, and the tests were performed at p≤0.05. The results indicate that the maize seeds vigor is maintained with the fungicide application, regardless of the vigor test used. As the treated seeds storage period increases, their vigor was reduced by the first count test. However, maize seeds germination was not influenced by seed treatment or storage period. Highlighted Conclusions 1) The maize seeds vigor is maintained applying fungicides, regardless of the vigor test used. 2) The first count test indicates that the longer the untreated or treated maize seeds with thiamethoxam are stored the lower the seed vigor. 3) Maize seeds germination is not influenced by the thiamethoxam, metalaxyl + fludioxonil + thiabendazole and pyraclostrobin + thiophanate-methyl + fipronil chemicals, not even by the storage period up to 90 days of treated seeds.

A Review on Seed Storage Technology: Recent Trends and Advances in Sustainable Techniques for Global Food Security

“…To maintain seed viability and control storage grain fungi, chemical treatments such as fungicides can be used. Liquid seed treatments are widely used for most crops because of their uniform application, low cost, and lack of additional energy required for drying (Frandoloso et al, 2018). Long-term seed storage involves the preservation of seeds at very low moisture content and low temperatures in hermetically sealed containers, with the longest-term storage being in canisters of liquid nitrogen .…”