Scientific research contributes to high productivity in the field

Every harvest is marked by many challenges for producers in different sectors of agriculture. It is no different with the seed sector. In recent years, producers have become increasingly concerned about the quality of the input purchased for use on their property. The producer's search for analyzes has increased over time, due to the importance of cultivating high quality material to achieve greater chances of high productivity at the end of the production cycle.

Based on the clients of the Seed Analysis Laboratory (LAS) of the Rio Verde Technological Research and Development Foundation (Fundação Rio Verde), we observed that the most requested analyzes are germination and vigor, and the most curious thing is that the biggest concern is with “vigor”. The rural producer is aware of the importance of this attribute in the seed, he knows that a lot with good germination is important, but he also knows that vigor determines an even greater potential to cultivate when going through adversities at the critical moment of initial establishment of the crop. The use of high vigor seeds can impact crop productivity by up to 35% more.

Seed analyzes to be cultivated in the 2022/2023 harvest began on 01/09, since then LAS has received samples from various regions of the Middle North, in around 90% of the samples received we have seen high numbers of vigor and germination , which represents positive results for the next harvest.

Germination is minimal, it is the basic attribute of a good seed, however, the farmer knows that he needs to know the other characteristics of the seed to establish more assertive strategies in relation to when to put them in the soil, the producer wants vigor, he wants to know if that seed is capable of producing normal seedlings quickly and uniformly in ideal conditions and under a wide range of environmental conditions, which is very important for Brazilian agriculture if we take into account that we work with an open-air industry and are subject to bad weather.

I was recently participating in the Brazilian Seed Congress where I had the opportunity to talk to the representative of a multinational's seed laboratory. In our conversation she mentioned how internal quality control of seeds is carried out before delivery to the producer, for all batches an emergency test is carried out in the seedbed “monthly”. This reinforces the concern of seed companies with the quality of the product to be delivered. Today, thanks to available technology, farmers have access to traceability of the lots they are receiving, from harvest to the last analysis carried out. It is known that the transport of seeds to the final destination is decisive in the quality of the seeds, based on this we have seen the investment in trucks with thermal canvases and the increase in the number of seed distribution centers along the BR 163 axis, which shows the zeal with the main input of Brazilian agriculture.

Legally, the producer is only assured of seed germination, but studies by major researchers in the seed sector prove the importance of vigor. The Rio Verde Foundation's seed laboratory has been working side by side with rural producers for over 10 years. Each seed analyzed has a very important value. For us seed analysts, it is a source of pride to know how much we contribute to decision-making in Brazilian crops. . It is rewarding to be able to share everyday knowledge with our customers.

Maria Luiza da Silva, Agricultural Engineer Technical Responsible for the Rio Verde Foundation Seed Laboratory