Seed Size and Its Influence on Growth-Related Agronomic Characters of Wheat Plants

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of seed size on agronomic traits related to the growth of wheat plants. The seeds used in this experiment were collected in growing fields from the North of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized block design, with three wheat cultivars (Quartzo, Ametista and TBIO Sinuelo) × six seed lots (A; B; C; D; E; F) × five sieve diameters: I: (original sample without standardization, being that used by farmers (OS)), II: (seeds > 3.00 mm), III: (seeds from 2.5 to 2.99 mm), IV: (seeds from 2.0 to 2.49 mm) and V: (seeds < 2.0 mm), and the treatments were arranged in three replicates. The number of tillers per plant, height and spike insertion height are determined by intrinsic characteristics of the cultivar used, but extensive variations are attributed by lot fragmentation and seed size. The morphological and growth attributes of wheat are affected by considerable effects of seed size, and the decrease in these dimensions results in lower plants and reduced growth. The use of sieves for wheat seeds standardization allows the identification and selection of specific cultivars, lots and seed dimensions that may be essential for wheat crop performance.