Seed treatment and its impact on wheat crop yield potential

Abstract: In the sowing process, the technique of seed treatment may assist in maintaining crop yield potential. This present study aimed to assess how wheat seed treatment with two different sources of micronutrients, combined with fungicide + insecticide protective treatment and coating with liquid polymer, may impact its vegetative development and grain production. Wheat seeds of cultivar Tec Vigore were subjected to three different treatments using micronutrient containing zinc: no micronutrient, micronutrient 1 (1% Mn, 0.1% Mo, 10% Zn); micronutrient 2 (0.3% B, 0.3% Co; 3% Zn), where micronutrient treatments were combined with different protective treatments used for seed treatment: untreated seeds, polymer (Color seed He), fungicide (Vitavax® Thiram 200 SC) + insecticide (Cruiser® 350 FS) and combination of polymer + fungicide + insecticide. We assessed parameters related to crop development, such as seedling emergence, dry matter of root and shoot, tillers, and for physiological maturity, we assessed grain yield and hectoliter weight. Seed treatment with micronutrients, polymer, fungicide + insecticide and combinations thereof does not reduce emergence and may increase seedling stand, but without influencing wheat grain yield.