Ultraviolet-C radiation improves soybean physiological and sanitary quality

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation effects on the physiological and sanitary quality of seeds of two soybean cultivars (BRS7380 and M7739). We used a completely randomised design in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme with four replicates. The treatments consisted of two soybean cultivars: BRS7380 and M7739 and five UV-C radiation doses: 0 – control; 10.4; 20.7; 31.1; 41.4 kJ m−2. Physiological and sanitary quality tests were carried out to evaluate the influence of UV-C radiation on the seeds. The dose of 31.1 kJ m−2 promoted the best physiological quality results for cultivars M7739 and BRS 7380, presenting better germination (98% and 87%, respectively), accelerated aging (97% and 91%, respectively), radicle length (13.4 and 12.9 cm, respectively), hypocotyl length (8.9 and 10.7 cm, respectively), dry mass of radicle (11.5 and 7.6 mg seedling−1, respectively) and dry mass of hypocotyl (21.8 and 28.3 mg seedling−1, respectively). Despite presenting the greatest reduction in the incidence of fungi (80% and 100% for BRS7380 and M7739, respectively), the dose of 41.4 kJ m−2 is detrimental to the physiological quality of the seeds. Thus, the dose of 31.1 kJ m−2 is the most viable and brings greater benefits to soybean-producing sector.