Soybean seed treatment with micronutrients, hormones and amino acids on physiological characteristics of plants

The study is aimed at contributing to the research on physiological effects of seed treatment with micronutrients, hormones and amino acids. Two experiments were conducted, first in a greenhouse (partially controlled conditions) and second in the field at Patos de Minas, MG, Brazil. Four seed treatments were arranged in a randomized block design (control; micronutrients Zn, Mn, B, Mo, Ni and Co; hormones: indole butyric acid, gibberellic acid and kinetin, and amino acids: glutamic acid, arginine, glycine, methionine and cysteine) with six and six replications for each treatment in the greenhouse and in the field, respectively. Results showed that seed treatment with micronutrients increased the activity of nitrate reductase (NR) by 51%, the net photosynthesis (NP) by 50%, the chlorophyll content (SPAD value - Soil Plant Analysis Development) by 52%, and the plant growth rate (GR) by 28%, all compared to the control. On the other hand, the use of amino acids and hormones reduces the level of stress of the plants during the initial period of growth and increases the mass of dry matter production. Finally, the seed treatment with micronutrients, hormones and amino acids represented an increase in productivity as compared to the control. Key words: Biostimulants, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, soybean productivity.