Foliar fungicide and environments on the physiological quality of oat seeds

Abstract

The oat crop is of great economic importance and seed production depends on several factors (biotic and abiotic) that can alter its quality. Thus, the study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of oat seeds produced with and without application of foliar fungicide in contrasting environments. The experimental design was a randomized block design in a factorial 6x2 (cultivar x fungicide) for each site, with four replications. The physiological quality of seeds was evaluated by grain yield, germination, first count, accelerated aging, moisture content after accelerated aging, seedling length, seedling dry weight, electrical conductivity and seedling emergence in field. Data were subjected to joint and individual analysis of variance, and means were compared by Tukey’s test at 5%. Grain yield in Mauá da Serra is superior to Londrina, Parana State - Brazil, but the seed quality is lower, although all cultivars have shown germination above 90% in the two cultivation sites. Cultivars FAEM 6 DILMASUL and UPFA OURO showed no disease, indicating possible resistance. The application of the product has a beneficial effect on seed germination and vigor, even in the absence of disease.