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Changes in Viability, Germination, and Respiration of Freshly Harvested Soybean Seed During Development

Pioneer Overseas Corp., 6800 Pioneer Parkway, P.O. Box 316, Johnston, IA 50131

D. M. TeKrony^* and D. B. Egli

Dep. of Agronomy, Univ. of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091

^* Corresponding author.

As soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seeds develop and mature, they gradually desiccate to cause a switch in metabolic processes from a developmental to a germination phase. This investigation was conducted to determine when fresh (nondesiccated), immature soybean seeds acquire the ability to germinate and develop into normal seedlings. Soybean pods were detached from ‘DeSoto’ plants at four developmental stages ranging from full seed (first time the seed filled the locule) to yellow pod [physiological maturity (PM)] in 1981 to 1983. Freshly harvested seeds were immediately evaluated for seed moisture, dry seed weight, viability (radicle protrusion through the testa), germination (normal seedling development), and respiration. Seed and axis dry weight accumulation and moisture loss were nearly identical throughout development. Near maximum viability (93%) of freshly harvested seeds occurred when the seed first filled the locule (35% of final dry seed weight); however, maximum germination (development of normal seedlings) did not occur until maximum accumulation of dry seed weight (PM). Respiration during germination of fresh seed harvested before PM declined prior to radicle emergence without a concomitant decrease in seed moisture, followed by an increase in respiration typical of a germinating seed. Contrary to previous reports, freshly harvested immature soybean seeds did not need a desiccation period prior to expression of maximum viability and normal seedling development.

Key Words: Glycine max (L) Merr. • Seed maturation • Seedling development • Physiological maturity

Received for publication November 13, 1987.