Germination test methods of insecticide-treated seeds

Abstract

The seed treatment with insecticides in certain cases causes lower values of seed germination due to phytotoxicity, which is manifested as a truncated and thickened main root. In the Seed Testing Laboratory, the method most suitable for seed germination was sought out in order to reduce effects of phytotoxicity of treated seeds to the minimum. This study encompassed germination tests of 10 seed lots of maize hybrids of different maturity groups stored in the controlledenvironment chamber for a year. One part of seeds was treated with the fungicide Maxim XL, while the remaining part was treated with the fungicide Maxim XL + insecticide Sonido. The seed germination tests were carried out in the Seed Testing Laboratory, Maize Research Institute, Zemun Polje, by the between paper method (4x100 and 8x50 seeds) and the sand method (4x100 seeds). Seeds were germinated in the room germinator at the alternating temperature of 20<=>30oC and 16:8 (light : dark) photoperiod. The first counting was done on the fourth day and the final one on the seventh day when the BP method was used. In cases when the S method was applied, the final counting was done on the seventh day. When seeds were germinated, the control sample was also placed for germination. Considering results of the last year germination, it was determined that seed germination was not significantly changed after a year of storing in the controlled-environment chamber. The comparison of results on germination of seeds treated only with the fungicide with seeds treated with fungicide+insecticide, shows lower values in seed germination in all three treatments in fungicide+insecticide-treated seeds. The lowest germination values were recorded in seeds treated with fungicide+insecticide in sand, while the highest values were obtained by the BP method (8x50 seeds).