Impact of biological products on soybean seed treatment: evaluation of early performance

ABSTRACT:

In agriculture, biological products are an important sustainable alternative for reducing environmental and human health impacts. However, using biologicals in seed treatment may influence early seed performance. This study aimed to evaluate soybean seeds treated with commercial biological products registered for this purpose, applied individually or in combination. Water content, germination, first count, and seedling length were measured using traditional methods, and seedling length, vigor and uniformity via Vigor-S software. Evaluations were carried out immediately after treatment and after 40 days of storage of the treated seeds. The tests conducted indicated that treatments with the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BV03) and Trichoderma asperellum (BV10) strains may negatively affect the early growth and development parameters of seedlings under laboratory conditions. This may be associated with testing conditions, such as the absence of substrates and organic compounds, high humidity, and lack of pathogens; with product-related factors, such as metabolite production by each strain, dose, and formulation ingredients; or with seed-related factors, including initial physiological quality and storage.

Index terms:
automated analysis; beneficial microorganisms; Glycine max L.; seed deterioration; vigor