Leaf powder of Melia azedarach L., Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev and Tagetes erecta L. for seed treatment of Carthamus tinctorius L.

Abstract

The safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) has a wide diversity of use, such as feeding, oil extraction and floral stems for ornamentation. However, it has low productivity due to the high susceptibility to attack by pathogenic microorganisms during its culture. For this reason, seed treatment is an alternative for protection and to guarantee sanitary quality. The objective of the present work was to determine the effect of leaf powder from three plant species on the physiological and sanitary quality of safflower seeds (Carthamus tinctorius L.) stored for different periods of time. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design, in 10x3 factorial (leaf powder combinations and seed storage periods), with four repetitions. The seed lot was stored with an average moisture content of 9%. Leaves of Melia azedarach L., Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev and Tagetes erecta L. were dried and crushed to obtain powder that was applied to the seeds at the doses of: zero (control), 1, 2 and 3 g kg-1 of seeds. Seed quality was evaluated through germination, seedling length and mass, emergence and health tests. The use of leaf powder from M. azedarach, D. grandiflora and T. erecta as a treatment of safflower seeds was beneficial for the control of the infestation by phytopathogenic fungi and increased its potential for germination and emergence in the field. The results indicated that it have potential for the treatment of safflower seeds stored for different periods of time.

Keywords

• plants with antifungal properties
• phytosanitary quality
• safflower