Thiamethoxam: Molecule moderator of growth, metabolism and production of spring wheat

Treating seeds with pesticides is a practice that confers seedlings protection against pests and diseases, however little research has been carried out on the physiological effects generated by these products during the life cycle of the plant. There is evidence that thiamethoxam promotes greater vigor to plants yielding greater crop production. Therefore, in a greenhouse, doses of thiamethoxam (0; 8.75; 17.5; 35 and 70 g a.i. per 100 kg seeds) were tested, with subsequent evaluation of biometric, metabolic and production variables. The use of thiamethoxam influenced the early growth of plants by increasing root development, altered the distribution of photoassimilates, increased the concentration of total soluble protein, reduced the nitrate reductase activity and increased the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, to a certain dose. With respect to production, the insecticide linearly increased the ear dry weight and the number of fertile tillers, which resulted in gains in harvest indices. This work suggests that the molecule of thiamethoxam plays the role of a growth regulator by altering plant physiology and shows potential to increase production. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.