DESICCANTS APPLIED IN PRE-HARVEST IN THE PHYSIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF SOYBEAN SEEDS

Abstract

One strategy to improve performance of mechanical harvesting is the use of desiccants in the pre-harvest. The aim this study was to evaluate the effect of desiccant, applied pre-harvest, in the physiological quality (germination and vigor) of soybean seeds (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). The experiment was conducted under field conditions in Serranopolis Iguacu - Parana. The tests were performed at the Laboratory of Seed Analysis of Cooperativa Agroindustrial LAR in Medianeira - PR. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and four replications. The tests performed on the soybean cultivar CD 215, were control, Glyphosate or Paraquat desiccant applied 105 days after emergence (DAE), glyphosate or paraquat desiccant applied 117 DAE. The treatments with paraquat and glyphosate applied 105 DAE, inhibited germination and vigor of soybean seeds when compared to control and the glyphosate applied at 117 DAE. Thus, it is no recommended use of herbicides desiccants applied in pre-harvest soybeans, because the physiologycal effects are directly affected by the products under study. However, treatment with glyphosate applied at the recommended time, with 117 DAE is efficient for drying without affecting the germination and vigor, but this did not differ from control.