Sowing density adjustment by rice seed vigor

ABSTRACT The use of high-vigor seeds combined with seeding density adjustment at sowing is speculated to ensure high yields. However, certain doubts regarding the effect of this combined approach on rice cultivation remain owing to the tillering capacity. In this context, the present study aimed to determine the effects of seeding density adjustment according to vigor on the initial establishment of seedlings in the field. A physiological characterization was conducted using the germination test, vigor by accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, first count, shoot length, root length, total seedling length, and dry mass in the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 growing seasons. The evaluations were conducted using a completely randomized design with four replications. Subsequently, the seed lots were selected, from which a fraction of seeds were submitted to artificial vigor reduction. Afterward, these seeds were sown in the main producing regions of the state of Santa Catarina, under a randomized block design with four replications. Three treatment groups were formed: one without density adjustment, one with adjustment by germination, and one with adjustment by vigor in accelerated aging. Twenty-one days after sowing, the number of emerged seedlings per unit area was determined. An interaction between the factors of adjustment for density and seed quality was observed. This was evidenced in the fact that even with the adjustment of density by vigor, the seed lot with lower quality presented the emergence of a lower number of seedlings, and the performance of these seeds was not equivalent to that observed in the lot with superior quality. Accordingly, it was concluded that the seeding density adjustment by vigor combined with the use of seeds with high-vigor is a suitable strategy for achieving a significant increase in plant emergence during the initial establishment in the field.