Physiological potential of wheat seeds produced under water restriction in an irrigated area

ABSTRACT:

The use of irrigation has led to expansion of the wheat crop in Brazil. Water restriction compromises the production of high-quality wheat seeds. Therefore, rational water use is necessary, as it is an increasingly limited resource. The effect of different water regimes on the development and quality of seeds has not been widely investigated. The objective was to evaluate the physiological potential of wheat seeds produced under water restriction through different irrigation levels - 70% and 100% of evapotranspiration (ETo). The experiment was conducted in the field using a 2 × 4 (irrigation levels × wheat seed lots) factorial arrangement. The evaluations included chlorophyll content, plant height, number of spikes, spike length, and yield. Physiological potential was assessed through the coefficient of variation of germination time, uncertainty of germination, germination synchronization index, germination, seedling length, seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity, seedling emergence, and germination and emergence speed index. The production of wheat seeds was compromised under water restriction, and plants under these conditions (70% ETo) produced seed lots with lower physiological potential compared to plants without water restriction (100% ETo), confirming the importance of adequate water supply.

Index terms:
evapotranspiration; irrigation; physiological quality; seed production; Triticum aestivum L