Effect of a bioproduct application in early stages of corn cultivation

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the QuitoMax[R] application effectiveness in early stages of corn (Zea mays L.) crop development. The first experiment consisted of evaluating QuitoMax[R] effect on the germination stage, for which germination was evaluated on petri dishes, sowing 10 corn seeds of the Jíbaro cultivar/plate. These were moistened with 1 mL of QuitoMax[R]/seed with different concentrations (treated groups) or distilled water (control). The concentrations were: 0.05, 0.5 and 1 g [L.sup.-1] of QuitoMax[R]. The second experiment consisted of different forms of QuitoMax[R] application, in early stages of corn crop, for which sowing was carried out in polyethylene bags, seeds were embedded and the best QuitoMax[R] concentrations found in the previous trial were applied foliarly. Germination, stem and root length, plant height and plant dry mass were evaluated. Result analysis showed a better response of plants when they received the combination of seed imbibition with QuitoMax[R] foliar spraying at a concentration of 1 g [L.sup.-1]. Key words: biostimulants, polymers, seeds