QUALITY AND PRODUCTION PRACTICES OF BEAN SEEDS UTILIZED FOR PLANTING DURING 1990/91 GROWING SEASON AT SOBRADINHO-RS, SOUTH BRAZIL

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to get informations about quality of bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) used byfarmers in growing season 1990/91 in Sobradinho-RS, South Brazil. Seventy seven samples were analized in the seedingperiod (August and September). Vigor (field emergency and rapid aging), germination, humidity, purity (physical and varietal)and infestation by bean weevil (Acanthoscelides obtectus) were analized. Dealings followed by fanners in yield and maintenanceof seeds were observed. The seeds presented high humidity proportion, in average 14.7%. In 62.3% of samples the índex ofphysical purity was at the least 98%, that by convention was settled for inspected seeds to Brazil, just 33.7%, of it, werefulfilled the standard of varietal purity. The samples presented high germination, in average 80.4%, and low vigor: theaverage rates of field emergency and rapid aging were 49.2% and 36.1%, respectively. Just 3.1% of seeds analized wereattacked by bean weevil. The seeds, in 85.7% of the cases, were of own crop, that were gotten in little fields (81.9% up to 5ha) and low technological levei, characterized by reduced mechanization use, manures, correctives, herbicides, fungicidesand insecticides.