The use of mixed mineral fertilizers consisting of macro- and micronutrients, which are already routinely used for leaf fertilization, in the treatment of corn and soybean seeds would positively influence germination and vigor, consequently improving growth and seedling development. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological potential of corn and soybean seeds treated with mixed mineral fertilizers. The seed treatment efficiency test with mixed mineral fertilizers was conducted at the Federal University of Jataí—UFJ—using Vital^®, Lança^®, Ídolo^®, Massivo^®, and their combinations. The treatments consisted of two controls for soybean and three for corn. Analysis of variance was performed using the F-test (p ≤ 0.05), and when there was significance, the means were compared using the Scott–Knott test (p ≤ 0.05). The mixed mineral fertilizers Vital^® + Massivo^® (T6), Lança^® + Ídolo^® (T7), and Vital^® + Lança^® + Ídolo^® (T10) used in the seed treatment benefit the development of soybean (NS7667 IPRO) seeds. The treatments for corn (MG744 PWU) had little effect on germination and seedling development. The use of mixed mineral fertilizers in the seed treatments did not affect the physiological potential of the soybean and corn seeds, keeping the lots with germination values within commercialization standards.

Infected seeds are one of the main pathogen transmission vehicles, and they are responsible for significant losses in production fields; phytosanitary defense depends on the inoculum and climatic factors. Thus, in this study, it was aimed to identify climatic variables of the regions that propitiate the production of Brachiaria brizantha ‘BRS Piatã’ seeds infected with phytopathogenic fungi. Temperature and rainfall data were obtained from 10 production fields, and phytosanitary quality of the seeds was evaluated with the filter paper method; the means were compared using the Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric analysis. Principal component analysis was performed to determine the relationship between the climatic variables and seed phytosanitary quality. Sites with maximum temperatures higher than 30 °C, mean values close to 25 °C, and rainfall less than 82 mm during harvest were favorable to the incidence of Fusarium spp. The incidence of Bipolaris sp. in the seeds of Piatã grass was favored by temperatures around 19 and 20 °C during the maturation phase. The highest incidence of Exserohilum sp. occurred at the sites in which the temperature during harvest was close to 20 °C and accumulated rainfall, between 167 and 181 mm.

In a quality control program, seed vigor evaluation is of fundamental importance for the success of the program. The objective of this project was to evaluate the efficiency of several vigor tests to evaluate the physiological quality of Brachiaria brizantha cv. 'BRS Piatã' seed lots and to preview seedling emergence in the field. Ten grass seed lots of the B. brizantha cv. 'BRS Piatã' were evaluated by the following tests: germination, first count of germination, accelerated aging (43 °C/48 hours), cold test (seeds rolled in paper towel), seed water content before and after accelerated aging, electrical conductivity (50 and 75 mL, 25 °C and readings made 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 hours after beginning the test), speed of germination index, and seedling emergence in sand substratum in the laboratory (26 ± 3 °C) and daily seedling counts between the 7th and the 21th day after sowing. The treatment replications were distributed in the laboratory according to a completely random design with four replications. Seedling emergence in the field data were analyzed according to a randomized complete block design. Treatment means were compared by the Scott Knott test, at the 5% level of probability. The tests for germination and first germination count, seedling emergence and first emergence count in the sand, and accelerated aging are useful to assess the vigor of seed batches of the piatã grass, and provide similar evidence to the seedling emergence in the field.

The invasive behavior of beggarticks (Bidens pilosa L.) in cropped areas is due to its ecological adaptation and aggressive regeneration, which is dependent on seed germination. The objective of this research was to verify the effects of B. pilosa seed origin and temperature on seed germination. The seeds were collected in Entre Rios do Oeste, PR, Botucatu, SP, Capão Bonito, SP, São Joaquim da Barra, SP, Sertãozinho, SP, Selvíria, MS, Barra do Garças, MT, Areia, PB and Manaus, AM. The seeds were evaluated regarding moisture content, 1000-seed weight, germination speed index and germination at 60 days (normal seedlings, dormant seeds and dead seeds) at the temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 ºC. The replicates were distributed according to a completely randomized design in a 9 x 8 factorial arrangement (seed origin x temperature) with four replicates. The means were compared by the Scott-Knott test. B. pilosa seeds germination depends on seed origin. Temperatures higher than 35 ºC are lethal to the seeds. The temperature of 15 ºC allows maximum germination in the shortest time whichever the seed origin.

The available research concerning the processing of grass seeds is scarce, despite its fundamental importance for national and international agribusiness. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effects of processing phases on the physical and physiological quality of tanzania grass seeds for commercialization purposes. Seeds were sampled before processing and after leaving the air and screen machine (upper and intermediate screens and bottom); first gravity table (drift, upper and intermediate spouts); treating machine; second gravity table (upper, intermediate, and lower spouts). Seeds were evaluated as to water content, physical quality (purity and 1,000 seeds weight) and physiological (germination, first count of germination, seedling vigor rating, seedlings length of primary roots and shoots, seedling emergence in the field, and emergence speed index). The processing of Tanzania grass seeds in the air screen cleaner machine and gravity table are efficient to improve the physical quality of the lot. The seed treatment with dye ink reduces the seedlings emergence speed in the field. The processing is not required to meet the national commercialization standards of the Tanzania grass seeds, but for the international.