Effects of Soybean Seed Vigor on Field Performance1

Abstract

AbstractThe relationships of seed quality to field performance were studied by reducing the vigor of a high quality seed lot through artificial aging. ‘Amsoy’ and ‘Hawkeye’ soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] seeds stored at 12.6–13.1% moisture and 40C decreased in field emergence and stand establishment. Treating seeds with Captan significantly increased the emergence percentage and the survival of only medium‐ and low‐vigor seeds. Once stand was established with medium‐ and low‐vigor seeds, there was no significant difference in yield between high‐, medium‐, and low‐vigor seeds. The effect of plant population was significant on yield. However, the differences in yield between vigor levels within populations were not generally significant. Hawkeye produced more dry matter than did Amsoy, but Hawkeye produced less yield. Over 50% of the total dry matter was made up of leaves 60 to 65 days after planting. Thereafter, stems and pods contributed over 50% of the total dry matter. Germination test of seeds harvested from test plots indicated that vigor, as induced by the aging method, was not transmitted.