Alternative treatment to stimulate the germination of recently harvested wheat seeds

Abstract: The germination test for recently harvested wheat seeds requires a period of up to 20 days, because of the presence of dormancy. The possibility of reducing this period provides greater speed to the allocation of seeds, as well as an increased operational capacity of analytical laboratories. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of treatments to stimulate the germination of recently harvested wheat seeds, reducing the five-day pre-cheeling period recommended to run the test. Seeds from various wheat genotypes were used: BRS Guamirim, BRS Tangará, BRS Pardela, CD 108, CD 116, CD 150, IPR Catuara TM, Frontana, IPR Taquari, Safira and Quartzo. They were analyzed immediately after collection and then stored for 30 and 180 days. In each evaluation period (immediately after harvesting, 30 and 180 days of storage), the determination of water content, the germination test (seeds without pre-chilling and pre-chilling between 5 and 10 ° C for three to five days), and also the tetrazolium test to quantify viability and seed dormancy were carried out. Based on these results, it is concluded that there is effectiveness in overcoming wheat seed dormancy, adopting the pre-cheeling procedure between 5 and 10 ° C for three days