Thermal stress and chemical treatment in physiological potential of Zea Mays L. Seeds

Abstract

In view of the economic importance of maize culture worldwide, it is important to verify how the seeds behave physiologically under stress conditions. This study aimed to verify the effect of chemical treatment on the physiological quality of corn seeds after heat stress. The seeds were subjected to accelerated aging (50 ° C for 24 hours) and then treated with fungicides Certez­­­­a® the dosages of 0, 100; 125; 150; 175 and 200 mL 100 kg of seeds and Maxim XL® with doses of 0, 145, 162.5; 180; 197.5; 215mL and 100 kg of seeds. It was adopted a completely randomized design in a factorial 2 x 5 (fungicides and dosages). The data were submitted to analysis of variance and polynomial regression. The variables analyzed were: emergence first count, field emergence, emergence speed index; percentage of normal and abnormal seedlings, shoot and root length, fresh weight of shoot and root and dry weight of shoot and root.The high physiological potential of corn seeds subjected to thermal stress was verified when the Certeza fungicide was applied in the dosage of 105.50 to 198.10 ml 100 kg of seeds, being more economically and environmentally viable when compared to the recommended doses.