Physiological and sanitary quality of soybean seeds harvested at different periods and submitted to storage1

Alan Mario Zuffo,Everton Vinicius Zambiazzi,Fábio Steiner,Joacir Mario Zuffo Júnior

doi:10.1590/1983-40632016v4747576

Abstract

ABSTRACT Delayed harvesting may affect the physiological quality of soybean seeds, due to adverse conditions in the field. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and sanitary quality of soybean seeds (BRS 820 RR® cultivar) harvested at eight periods (0; 5; 10; 15; 20; 25; 30; and 35 days after the R8 phenological stage - full maturity) and stored for two periods (0 and 8 months). The following evaluations were carried out: moisture content, germination and emergence rate, emergence speed index, total plant dry mass, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, mechanical damage, vigor and viability (tetrazolium) and sanitary quality of the seeds. The delayed harvesting of soybean seeds from 10 days after R8 impairs seed vigor and germination, in addition to increase the incidence of pathogens. Regardless of the harvesting period, the soybean seeds stored for eight months showed a reduction in their physiological quality, with an increase in the incidence of Phomopsis spp.

Highlights

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] crops are prominent in the world agribusiness, and Brazil is among the largest producers and exporters
Because of the high moisture content of the seeds at that stage, harvesting is performed at the R8 stage, when 95 % of the pods are mature in color (Diniz et al 2013a)
This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and sanitary quality of soybean seeds harvested in eight periods and stored for two periods

Summary

Introduction

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] crops are prominent in the world agribusiness, and Brazil is among the largest producers and exporters. To reach such a high representativeness, it is crucial that the soybean seed market produce high quality seeds that guarantee vigorous crops. In the soybean seed production, all stages of the process are relevant to obtain a high quality material, and harvesting is naturally a crucial one. Soybean seeds reach their maximum dry mass accumulation and maximum physiological quality at the R7 stage (beginning maturity) (Fehr et al 1971), time when harvesting should be performed. Because of the high moisture content of the seeds at that stage, harvesting is performed at the R8 stage, when 95 % of the pods are mature in color (Diniz et al 2013a)

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Results