Physiological Performance of White Oat Seeds Treated with Phosphite-based Products

Abstract

Aims: White oats are considered one of the most important cereals in the world. Currently, fertilizers based on phosphorus and silicon are being studied as inductors of resistance in the treatment of seeds, since they have as advantages such as low costs and excellent absorption by plants. The effects of seed treatment with phosphite resistance inducers are still unknown, being necessary the study in relation to interact with the seed at the time of twinning.  Study Design: The experimental design used was completely randomized, with four replications, two commercial products based on phosphite FullTec Mais and Ultra Plus and five doses.  Place and Duration of Study: The work was conducted at the Didactic Laboratory of Seed Analysis of the Faculty of Agronomy Eliseu Maciel of the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), Pelotas-RS, in 2019. Methodology: White oat seeds were used, produced in the 2018/2019 agricultural kharif and treated with commercial products based on FullTec Mais and Ultra Plus phosphites, in five doses: 0; 1.0; 2.0; 3.0; 4.5 mL for each 100 kg of seeds. The variables evaluated were first germination count (CP), germination (G), shoot length (CA), root length (CR), total length (CT), accelerated aging (EV) and total dry mass (MST). The data expressed as a percentage were subjected to analysis of variance to verify the effect of treatments. Then, the Duncan means test (P=0.5) was performed, for the discrimination between the treatment means. Statistical analyzes were performed using the R Core Team (2020). Results: The results showed that the FullTec Mais product stimulates the physiological performance of white oat seeds for the variables first germination count (CP), germination (G) and shoot length (CA), with a dose of 2 mL of the product per 100 kg of seeds that showed the highest expression. For the Ultra Plus product at a dose of 1 mL of the product per 100 kg of seeds it is more efficient in the accelerated aging test (EV), for the other variables it did not show significant differences. Conclusion: It is possible to use phosphite-based micronutrients in seed treatment, without causing physiological damage to the seed during the twinning process.