Physiological quality of seeds and growth of bean seedlings in relation to pre-harvest paraquat applications

The physiological quality of seeds and the growth of bean seedlings are influenced by the production environment and handling practices, such as the pre-harvest chemical desiccation. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of seeds and growth of bean seedlings, after pre-harvest paraquat applications in different times and rates. A randomized blocks design, in a 4x4 (application time x herbicide rates) factorial scheme, was used, with four replications. The paraquat was applied at 30, 35, 40, and 45 days after flowering (DAF), in rates of 0 g ha-1, 200 g ha-1, 400 g ha-1, and 600 g ha-1. The results were submitted to variance analysis, the times compared by using the Tukey test and the rates by regression. The germination, accelerated aging of seeds, and total seedling length were not affected after the pre-harvest paraquat applications. However, the germination, after the cold test, and the seedling shoot length were affected by paraquat application times, presenting better results when the desiccant was applied at 30 DAF. The electrical conductivity of seeds decreased linearly in proportion to the increase of paraquat rates, and similar results were also observed for primary root length of seedling, with application at 30 DAF, and for first germination counting and germination speed index, with application at 45 DAF. The physiological quality of seeds and growth of seedlings were affected by pre-harvest paraquat application.