Evaluation of adherents to coat maize seeds (Zea mays L.) with vegetable flours and their effect on germination

Resumen

Objective: to evaluate the adhesion capacity of different materials in the coating of seeds with vegetable flours from broccoli shears as biostimulant extracts.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: the percentage of seed coverage treated with different adherents was evaluated; commercial, polyterpene, carboxymethyl, starch and casein, previously standardized for application in doses of 1 mL in 100 seeds. The percentage of germination, growth and some biochemical variables of the seeds treated with adherents with and without vegetable flour was evaluated, with the application of 1.5 g in 100 seeds.

Results: the adherents with the highest coverage were commercial and polyterpene, with coverage percentages higher than 98%. Germination was not modified by the treatments. There were non-significant differences in the other variables in relation to treatments without HV. Except the application of HV that reduced plumule length by 7%, and fresh weight by 12%. In biochemical variables, the application of adherent and vegetable flours favored increasing in the content of phenols, total proteins and pigments.

Limitations/ Implications of the study: in regard to adherents, similar results were found for most variables; this is, there were non-significant differences among adherents. Thus suggesting that some variations can be introduced in the composition or concentrations of adherents in order to amplify the test.

Findings/ Conclusions: the information from this study can serve as a model for applying vegetable flours as bio-stimulant extracts in seeds or plants, with a sustainable approach.