Vigor and viability of wheat seeds treated with zinc

Zinc has been used in the formulation of products named phytostimulants, acting on cell elongation and lateral root formation. Thus, this paper aimed to evaluate the effect of doses of zinc applied in seed treatment on germination and vigor of wheat cultivars. The experiment consisted of 2 cultivars of wheat (Quartzo and Supera) and 7 doses of zinc applied in seed treatment in the form ZnSO4.7H2O (0; 0.19; 0.38; 0.76; 0.95; 1.14; and 1.52g of Zn.kg-1 of seeds), forming a 2x7 factorial in completely randomized design with 4 replications. The doses of zinc did not influence on the germination of wheat seeds,denoting the absence of toxicity and the possibility of providing zinc via seed for culture. However, the cultivar Quartzo presented a higher germination than Supera. Regarding vigor, the cultivars responded differently to doses of zinc applied through seeds. The cultivar Quartzo had an increased seedlings length up to a dose of 0,56g.Zn.kg-1 of seeds. Doses of zinc between 0.76 and 1.04g.kg-1 of seeds provided a higher vigor to wheatseeds of the cultivar Supera. One concludes that the germination of seeds of the Quartzo and Supera cultivars was not affected by application of zinc in seed treatment, however, with regard to vigor, the Supera cultivar was more responsive, as it presented significant increases in most of the variables evaluated.