Physiological Performance of Rice Seeds Treated to Thiamethoxam and Placed under Storage

Abstract

High-yielding crops can only achieve their potential when the appropriate technological tools are applied and weather conditions do not impose restrictions. One such technological tool is the treatment of seeds, in which different products are used and, in some cases, cause little-known effects capable of modifying the plant’s metabolism and/or its morphology. The insecticide thiamethoxam alters the plant’s physiology and morphology, accelerating its development, thus enhancing its vigor. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of thiamethoxam on the physiological performance of rice seeds during storage. The research was conducted in a green-house and at the laboratory of the Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agronomy Eliseu Maciel —UFPel (Federal University of Pelotas). Rice seeds from cultivars INIA Olimar and El Paso L144 were treated to a commercial product containing 350 grams of active ingredient thiamethoxam at doses of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 g per 100 kg of seed. Seeds were tested for physiological quality immediately after being treated (check treatment) and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months under storage, through germination test, cold test, accelerated aging and greenhouse emergence test. The concentration range from 200 to 400 g a.i. 100 kg^-1 seed yielded the highest germination and seed vigor values for both rice cultivars during the storage period.