ABSTRACT. Nitrogen is available in insufficient quantities in Brazilian soils, and is the nutrient that raises the most cost of production of maize. Nowadays there is a more interest in the use of alternative nitrogen sources, such as biological nitrogen fixation, to supply plant demand. Among the most used bacteria in association with grasses is Azospirillum brasilense. In this way this study aimed to establish a relationship between the genetic bases of corn and the forms of A. brasilense application and the effects on the plant morphological components, grain yield, and relative nitrogen contribution. Experiments were conducted during the 2013/14 and 2014/15 crop seasons. The experiments included two single hybrids, two double hybrids, and two triple hybrids inoculated with A. brasilense via seed treatment; foliar application during phenological stages V2, V2 + V4, and V4; and a control treatment without bacteria. The response varied with the hybrid and the year. In the 2013/14 crop, a significant difference was observed in the grain yield for the single hybrid AG9045 inoculated with A. brasilense via seed and foliar application in V2. In the 2014/15 crop, inoculation with A. brasilense via seed application resulted in significant increases in the grain yield for the triple hybrid BG7051. Foliar application of A. brasilense is an efficient alternative for the improvement of plant morphological traits, and inoculation via seed and with foliar application in V2 increases the relative contribution of N.

ABSTRACT. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of the chemical composition of soybean seeds and the efficiency of seed mineral supplementation on physiological quality and field performance. Two seed lots (high and low levels of mineral nutrition), with or without supplemental macro- and micronutrients, of three soybean cultivars (BMX Potência RR, BMX Turbo RR, and BMX Magna RR) were used. For the laboratory experiment, a completely randomized design with four replications was used. To evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds, the water content, first count, germination, 1,000-seed weight, and length and dry weight of the seedling were determined. For the field experiment, a randomized block design with four replications was used, and seedling emergence and grain yield were evaluated. Seeds with higher nutrient content produced seedlings of greater vigor and higher grain yield for all of the cultivars studied. The use of mineral supplementation in seed lots with low nutrient content resulted in greater vigor under laboratory conditions. The increase in grain yield after mineral supplementation depends on the quality of the seed lot.

RESUMO Sementes podem absorver N de suplementos minerais, estimulando o desenvolvimento de plântulas. O estudo objetivou avaliar a contribuição de N derivado da suplementação mineral em sementes com diferentes teores nutricionais, para plântulas de soja. Sementes de dois lotes da cultivar BMX Potência RR, contrastantes quanto ao teor nutricional, foram submetidas a aplicação de suplemento mineral enriquecido com 2,5% átomos de 15N em excesso. Aos 2, 6 e 10 dias após a semeadura em papel toalha, plântulas foram coletadas, separadas em cotilédones, sistema radicular e parte aérea. A produção de matéria seca, o comprimento e volume do sistema radicular foram avaliados. No tecido dos órgãos das plântulas foram analisados os totais de N e 15N. As sementes derivadas do lote com menor teor nutricional absorveram mais N do suplemento mineral, que foi acumulado nos cotilédones e redistribuído para o sistema radicular e parte aérea. A maior parte do N na soja ao longo de 10 dias após a semeadura é derivada das reservas da semente independentemente do teor nutricional inicial. A aplicação de N via suplementação mineral é de pouca importância para o crescimento e desenvolvimento de plântulas.

ABSTRACT Seeds can absorb N from mineral supplementation, thus stimulating seedling development in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). This study aimed to evaluate the contribution to soybean seedlings of N derived from mineral supplementation in seeds with different nutritional contents. Seeds of the cultivar BMX Potência RR received mineral supplementation enriched with 2.5% excess 15N. The treatments were performed in seeds in two lots, one with high and one with low nutritional content. At 2, 6 and 10 days after sowing on paper towels, the seedlings were collected and separated into cotyledons, roots and shoots. Dry matter production, root length and root volume were assessed. Total N and 15N values were analyzed in the seedling organ tissues. The seeds from the lot with lower nutritional content absorbed more N from the mineral supplement, which was accumulated in the cotyledons and redistributed to the root systems and cotyledons. At 10 days after sowing, most of the N in the organs of soybean seedlings was derived from the seed reserves, regardless of nutritional content. Thus, application of N through mineral supplementation is of low importance for the development and nutrition of seedlings.

RESUMO O incremento na produtividade de grãos pode ser obtido pela interação entre plantas e microrganismos promotores do crescimento vegetal. Bactérias do gênero Bradyrhizobium spp. são capazes de realizar a fixação do nitrogênio em soja [Glycine max (L.) Merril], enquanto as do gênero Azospirillum spp. induzem a síntese de hormônios vegetais. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a inoculação com Bradyrhizobium e co-inoculação com Bradyrhizobium + Azospirillum brasilense em sementes de soja associado a aplicação de 0, 75 e 150 kg de N ha-1 de ureia aplicada em cobertura no estádio reprodutivo. Três cultivares de soja (BMX Ativa, TEC 6029 e BMX Potência) foram utilizadas nos experimentos em Santa Maria, RS, Brasil, durante dois anos agrícolas (2013/2014 e 2014/2015) e duas épocas de cultivo. Foram avaliadas as características morfológicas, de nodulação e componentes da produtividade. A co-inoculação proporcionou incremento de 240 kg de grãos ha-1 em relação a inoculação convencional. Quando co-inoculadas, as cultivares BMX Ativa, TEC 6029 e BMX Potência acresceram a produtividade de grãos em 6, 4 e 12% respectivamente. A aplicação de 150 kg de N ha-1 acresceu a produtividade em 300 kg de grãos ha-1, com a co-inoculação das cultivares TEC 6029 e BMX Potência, porém, sem retorno econômico. Os cultivares testados quando inoculados somente com Bradyrhizobium não responderam positivamente à aplicação de ureia.

ABSTRACT Increased grain yield can be obtained via an interaction between plants and growth-promoting microorganisms. The Bradyrhizobium spp. are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merril], and Azospirillum spp. induce the synthesis of phytohormones. The aim of this study was to evaluate inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and co-inoculation with Bradyrhizobium + Azospirillum brasilense in soybeans in combination with the application a topdressing of 0, 75 or 150 kg of N ha-1 of urea during the reproductive stage. Three soybean cultivars (BMX Ativa, TEC 6029 and BMX Potência), were tested in field experiments in Santa Maria, RS, Brazil, during two agricultural years (2013/2014 and 2014/2015) and two sowing times. Morphological, nodulation and yield components were evaluated. Co-inoculation increased the grain yield by 240 kg ha-1 compared with conventional inoculation. When co-inoculated, cultivars BMX Ativa, TEC 6029 and BMX Potência showed increased grain yields of 6, 4 and 12%, respectively. The application of 150 kg ha-1 of N as a topdressing increased the grain yield by 300 kg ha-1 in the co-inoculated cultivars TEC 6029 and BMX Potência, but without a financial return. When inoculated only with Bradyrhizobium, the cultivars did not respond positively to the application of urea.

Na produção de sementes de trigo diversos fatores (bióticos e abióticos) podem alterar o rendimento e a qualidade de sementes, dentre esses cita-se o estabelecimento adequado das plantas no campo. Dessa forma, objetivou-se com esse trabalho verificar o efeito da redução da população de trigo de forma aleatória no rendimento e na qualidade fisiológica das sementes produzidas. O estudo foi realizado nas cultivares Horizonte, Marfim, Mirante e Quartzo. Anteriormente à fase do afilhamento, procedeu-se a retirada de plantas de maneira aleatória nas intensidades de 0; 20; 40 e 60% em relação à população original (350 plantas por metro quadrado). Após a colheita, avaliou-se o rendimento e a qualidade das sementes produzidas, por meio dos testes de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, condutividade elétrica massal e massa de mil sementes. Verificou-se que as cultivares apresentam desempenho diferente quando submetidas a reduções aleatórias de plantas demonstrando capacidades distintas em compensar eventuais falhas na semeadura. A resposta para rendimento de trigo em função da redução aleatória na população de plantas varia conforme o genótipo utilizado. Quanto à qualidade das sementes produzidas, reduções aleatória de plantas de trigo afetam negativamente a qualidade fisiológica das sementes.

In the production of wheat seeds several factors (both biotic and abiotic) can alter the yield and quality of the seeds, among these is the appropriate establishment of the plants in the field. The aim of this work therefore, was to investigate the effect of randomly reducing the wheat population on yield and physiological quality of the seeds produced. The study was carried out on the cultivars, Fundacep Horizonte, Marfim, Mirante and Quartzo. Prior to the tillering stage, plants were removed at random at levels of 0; 20; 40 and 60% of the original population (350 plants per square metre). After harvest, the yield and quality of the seeds produced were evaluated by testing germination, accelerated ageing, mass electrical conductivity and thousand-seed weight. It was found that the cultivars perform differently when subjected to random plant reduction, demonstrating different capabilities in compensating for any flaw in seeding. The response for wheat yield due to the random reduction in plant population varies by genotype. As for the quality of the seeds produced, random reductions of wheat plants negatively affect the physiological quality of the seeds.

A secagem de sementes é uma operação indispensável no processo de produção, porém, a temperatura utilizada pode afetar a qualidade das sementes produzidas. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito de diferentes temperaturas de secagem na integridade física, qualidade fisiológica e composição química de sementes de arroz irrigado. Formaram-se quatro lotes de cada cultivar, os quais foram secos pelo método estacionário, utilizando-se as seguintes temperaturas: 32ºC, 38ºC, 44ºC e 50ºC. Após os tratamentos de secagem, avaliou-se a integridade física das sementes, por meio do teor de umidade e da percentagem de fissuras. A qualidade fisiológica foi determinada com o auxílio de teste de germinação, primeira contagem, condutividade elétrica, envelhecimento acelerado, teste de frio, comprimento total e fitomassa seca de plântula. A composição química das sementes foi avaliada por meio das frações massa seca, proteína e fibra bruta e extrato etéreo das sementes. As temperaturas de secagem afetaram a qualidade das sementes, e o aumento da temperatura, na secagem (32-50ºC), aumentou, também, a percentagem de fissuras nas sementes de arroz irrigado. As temperaturas de 32ºC e 38ºC, na secagem, permitiram a expressão da qualidade das sementes, enquanto a temperatura de 50ºC reduziu o seu potencial fisiológico.

The drying of seeds is essential for its production process, however, the temperature used can affect seeds quality. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of different temperatures on physical integrity, physiological quality and chemical composition of rice seeds. Four lots were arranged for each cultivar, being dried with the aid of the stationary method, by using the following temperatures: 32ºC, 38ºC, 44ºC and 50ºC. After each drying treatment, the physical integrity of seeds was analyzed, by evaluating its moisture content and fissures percentage. Physiological quality was evaluated with the aid of the germination test, first counting, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, cold test, total length and dry mass of seedlings. The chemical composition of seeds was determined by evaluating their dry mass, crude protein and fiber and ethereal extract. The drying temperatures affected seeds quality, and when they increased (32-50ºC), the percentage of fissures in irrigated rice seeds also increased. Drying temperatures of 32ºC and 38ºC allowed the expression of seed quality, while the temperature of 50ºC reduced its physiological potential.

O presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de determinar as condições do teste de lixiviação de potássio para a avaliação do vigor de sementes de arroz. Cinco lotes de sementes da cultivar IRGA 424 e cinco da cultivar Puitá Inta CL foram submetidos a esse teste, cuja eficiência foi comparada à dos testes de germinação, primeira contagem de germinação, frio sem solo, condutividade elétrica massal e emergência de plântulas em campo. A quantidade de potássio exsudada foi determinada em fotômetro de chama, após 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 e 180 minutos de imersão de 50 sementes, em água destilada e deionizada nos volumes de 20 e 50 mL a 25 °C. O teste de lixiviação de potássio é eficiente para avaliar o vigor de sementes de arroz. A combinação de 50 sementes puras imersas em 50 mL de água destilada e deionizada, a 25 °C durante 60 minutos representa o procedimento mais eficiente para classificar lotes de sementes de arroz, em função de sua qualidade fisiológica.

The aim of this study was to determine the conditions of the potassium leaching test for evaluating rice seed vigor. Five seed lots of the IRGA 424 variety and five seed lots of the Puita Inta CL variety were tested, and results compared with those from germination tests, first germination count, cold test (without soil), electrical conductivity and seedling germination in the field. The amount of potassium leachate was determined using a flame photometer, after 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes of immersing 50 seeds in distilled and deionised water at volumes of 20 and 50 mL at 25 ºC. The combination of 50 pure seeds submerged in 50 mL of distilled and deionized water at 25 ºC for 60 minutes was the most efficient procedure for classifying the physiological quality of rice seed lots.