Physiological quality of corn seeds treated with insecticides and stored at different temperatures

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the industrial treatment with insecticides on the physiological quality of corn (Zea mays) seeds during storage at different temperatures. Seeds of the BM 950 PRO3 and BM 709 PRO2 hybrids were subjected to industrial treatment with insecticides based on chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, and clothianidin, as well as to a control, and stored at different temperatures (10, 20, and 30°C) for 0, 90, 180, 270, and 360 days, in a 4x3x5 factorial arrangement for each hybrid, in a completely randomized design. To evaluate the quality of the seeds, tests of moisture content, germination, seedling emergence, accelerated aging, and cold were performed. For the seeds of both hybrids, germination is preserved at minimum commercialization standards for up to 360 days of storage, regardless of the insecticide or storage temperature. The temperature of 10°C preserves seed vigor and minimizes the negative effects caused by the insecticides during storage. At 20 and 30°C, vigor is cumulatively impaired as storage is extended, mainly at 30°C. Chlorantraniliprole results in a greater preservation of seed vigor regardless of storage temperature, whereas clothianidin provides a greater loss of vigor in industrially treated corn seeds, especially when stored at 30°C.