Evaluation of Maize Seeds Treated with Trichodermil® through Biospeckle

The present work aimed to study the treatment with the bioprotector Trichoderma harzianum on maize seeds immediately after treatment and during storage. Maize seeds were analyzed through germination test, vigor tests (cold test, accelerated aging and aerial length), and the viability of the treated seeds was verified through the biospeckle. Seed treatment is recommended because approximately 90% of crops intended for human and animal feeding are seed-propagated. A pathogen present in the seed results in increased diseases in the adult plant, in addition to introducing pathogens in other areas. So the seed treatment can provide better results than chemicals disease control on plants. Bioprotectors have antagonistic fungi that produce metabolites and enzymes that will avoid the proliferation of phytopathogenic fungi. Among the bioprotectors, Trichoderma spp., used for phytosanitary control of seeds, stands out. The tests were carried out with treatment in order to evaluate the physiological potential caused by the treatment with the bioprotector. The biospeckle experimental runs were performed in parallel with the sanitation test. The germination percentages of 93.0%, 87.5%, and 87.5%, respectively, showed that they were all above the minimum requirement for commercialization, which is 85%. Analyzing the vigor and sanitation tests, it was verified that the best treatment was on day zero. Among the seeds analyzed through biospeckle, using the laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) technique, it was possible to identify fungi activity.