Seed Maturation in Soybeans (Glycine maxL. Merr.) is Independent of Seed Mass and of the Parent Plant, Yet is Necessary for Production of Viable Seeds

Abstract

Freshly harvested seeds of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) or seeds shelled, then dried, were non-viable. Seeds dried in intact pods, even when only 17% of normal size, matured into viable seeds and produced healthy plants. These seeds maintained activity of various enzymes but gained little soluble protein while air-drying in intact pods. There was a qualitative change in seed proteins associated with maturation. Seeds matured in intact pods have a greater proportion of protein as slow-moving bands and have completely lost one fast-moving band compared with seeds shelled before drying. Seed maturation is a distinct phase of seed production, is independent of the parent plant, and can be imposed on the seed at many stages of development.