Rice is one of the most important and traditional cereal crops grown as it is a staple food of most of the world population. Rio Grande do Sul state is an important rice producer, accounting for 50% of Brazilian production, 80% of which is irrigated rice. The systemic insecticide thiamethoxam is transported within the plant and can activate various physiological processes, such as protein expression. These proteins interact with stress defense mechanisms, allowing the plant to better support adverse conditions such as drought, low pH, high soil salinity, free radical stress from high temperatures, toxic effects of high aluminium levels, pest damage, wind, hail, virus attack and nutrient deficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of thiamethoxam on the physiological performance of rice seeds. Seeds of the rice cultivars El Paso, BR IRGA 410, IRGA 424 and BR Olimar were treated with thiamethoxam concentrations of 0.0, 50, 100, 200, 400 mL per 100 kg of seeds. Physiological seed quality was evaluated by tests of germination, first count germination, cold, accelerated aging and seedling shoot and root lengths. Thiamethoxam treatment of rice seeds resulted in improved seed physiological quality with the dosage of 300 to 400 mL of product per 100 kg giving the best result.
Oryza sativa; thiamethoxam; seeds; vigor
