Momento de colheita e qualidade fisiológica de sementes de linhagens e híbridos de milho

Abstract

The basis to high production per area in maize is directly related to the success of the establishment of an adequate plant stand, which in turn depends on rational management and the quality of seeds. The increase in the demand of maize seeds of high physiological and genetic quality has been gradual, and has had a major impact on the improvement of yields. To preserve the genetic and physiological potential of a cultivar when producing seed, it is essential to understand all features associated to seed maturation. Thus, this work had the objective to identify the best harvest time starting at the appearance of the black layer for 7 ancestries and 5 hybrids of maize. The experiment was installed in the seed production area of the KSP Seed Research Company Ltd. township of Campos Novos, SC. The establishment of all treatments followed the technical guidelines indicated for the maize crop. The first harvest initiated at the appearance of the black layer stage for each genotype. Subsequent harvest treatments were performed at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 days after the formation of the black layer. The seed moisture content was determined for each harvest date, after which the seeds were dried still in the spike. After being dried, the seeds were threshed and stored in cold and dry chamber, at a mean temperature of 12ºC and 52%relative humidity, until being analyzed. For the evaluation of the physiological quality of the seeds, the tests of germination and vigor were carried out. Considering the results, the best harvest time for all treatments was that of 10 days after the appearance of the black layer. Environmental effects have a great impact on the seed physiological quality, especially when the harvest and rainy seasons coincide. Extremely early harvests will cause the seeds to show lower vigor when sown shortly after drying. It is suggested that the harvest be executed 10 days after the physiological maturity. The loss of seed moisture while still in the field is slow, contributing to the deterioration of their physiological quality whenever harvest is retarded beyond the period of 10 days after the physiological maturity is reached.