Thiago Toshio Ricci

Insecticide Treatment and Physiological Quality of Seeds

The use of high-quality seeds enhances the probability of success of a crop. Another important factor is the use of techniques which target the improvement of seed field performance. Applications (seed dressing) of fungicides, inoculants, insecticides and micronutrients on seeds are practices most used by farmers for several years. These products have provided more favorable conditions to crop’s growth as well as its development. Chemical treatment on seeds have been one of the most common techniques in use on current farming due to its low-cost technology, low-environmental impact, and, in general, a significant effect on yield (Zambolim, 2005). High quality seed is one of the essential prerequisites to achieve higher crop productivity. Seed physiological quality is influenced by genetic traits inherited from their parent trees, as well as germination and vigor, which are affected by environmental conditions, harvesting methods, drying process, processing, storage and packing (Zambolim, 2005). Nevertheless, storage of insecticide treated seeds may cause significant reduction on both germination and vigor as demonstrated by a number of authors (Bittencourt et al., 2000); (Gotardo et al., 2001). This fact might be related to deterioration caused by the use of insecticides, which induce the formation of free radicals and subsequent oxidative stress (Braguini, 2005). Chemical treatment on seeds has become an important procedure on agricultural production by a number of reasons. Firstly, by using this kind of treatment, many pest insects attacking not only seeds but also in some cases the aerial part of plants can be efficiently controlled. Secondly, these products can be handled in either protected or controlled environment regardless of climatic conditions, therefore, reducing additional and unwanted machinery movement in the land for cultivation. These arguments are added to the fact that, in that referred kind of treatment; small quantities of products are used per area unit, which implies lower risks of environmental contamination. In addition, chemical treatment is a procedure of simple implementation and low cost (Goulart, 1999; Machado, 2000).