Seed quality of paddy rice in Santa Catarina state, Brazil, in the 2007/08 season

Abstract

The seed is considered the most important agricultural input, mainly because it carries genetic characteristics that determine the agronomic performance and it is responsible for the success of the crop establishment. Santa Catarina is the Brazilian state that showed a major evolution in irrigated rice seed quality over the last three decades, as became evident from samplings taken from rice growers at planting time. This study aimed to evaluate the rice seed quality used by farmers in Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. Rice seed samples (307) were collected representing all rice- -producing regions of the state, in the 2007/08 season, and a form was completed with relevant information about each sample. The samples were sent to Epagri’s seed laboratory to determine purity, germination test, vigor and red rice infestation. The survey shows that the seeds used by farmers in Santa Catarina have high quality when purity, germination and vigor are considered, but about 17% of the samples are infested with red rice.