Application of Non-Selective Herbicides in the Pre-Harvest of Wheat Damages Seed Quality

Abstract

Pre-harvest desiccation in order to minimize the time of exposure to abiotic factors after physiological maturity is a practice used in the production of quality seeds. The aim of this work was to evaluate the physical, physiological and sanitary quality of wheat seeds from plants that received non-selective herbicide application at pre-harvest. For this, the treatments were applied on pre-harvest culture. A completely randomized design was applied. We use the herbicides ( glufosinate-ammonium , glyphosate and paraquat ), phenological stages of herbicide application (Z-83, Z-85, Z-87, Z-92) and additional treatment (without application). The routine tests that express the physical, physiological and sanitary integrity of seeds were evaluated. For herbicide treatments, there was an 8% and 26% reduction in germination under laboratory conditions for BRS Parrudo and Sinuelo, respectively. Soil emergence was 14% higher for the control treatment, not statistically different for the Z-87 and Z-92 stages and also for the herbicides glufosinate-ammonium and glyphosate for both cultivars. The application of non-selective herbicides on wheat pre-harvest impairs the physical and physiological quality and promotes faster deterioration. Vigor is reduced under stress conditions by cold test and accelerated aging. There is no influence on seed sanity.