ABSTRACT: During storage, temperature and relative air humidity affect the physiological quality of seeds. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of artificial cooling and modified atmosphere on the physiological quality of soybean seeds stored in big bags. Two experiments were conducted under three storage conditions: cooled storage (average temperature between 14 and 16 °C), non-cooled storage, and non-cooled storage in hermetic packaging with CO₂ addition. Seed quality evaluations were performed at 0, 75, 150, and 225 days of storage. Storage under cooled conditions preserved soybean seed physiological quality for up to 225 days. In contrast, storage without cooling resulted in pronounced seed deterioration. The use of hermetic packaging with CO₂ showed a positive effect on preserving seed germination for up to 75 days; however, it did not replace the benefits provided by cooling. It is concluded that storage in a cooled environment was effective in maintaining the physiological quality of soybean seeds during the evaluated period. The use of hermetic packaging with added CO₂, without temperature control, caused a limited effect on germination at the beginning of storage but did not replace the benefits provided by refrigeration.
ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of freshly harvested and stored soybean seeds following the foliar application of nutrients and a plant bioregulator. Three field experiments were conducted in the municipality of Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Treatments consisted of three soybean cultivars (Desafio RR, M5917 IPRO, and 95R40 IPRO) subjected to foliar application of nine products containing nutrients and plant bioregulators at the phenological stages R1 and R2, in addition to a control treatment. After harvest, the seeds were subjected to physiological analyses, including electrical conductivity, vigor and viability by the tetrazolium test, emergence speed index, and accelerated aging, at three evaluation periods: immediately after harvest, and after three and six months of storage. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance, with effects assessed using the F-test and means compared through 95% confidence intervals. A significant effect of product application was observed for most physiological variables. However, responses varied according to cultivar, product applied, and storage period. The effects were more pronounced in vigor-related traits, particularly in freshly harvested seeds and after three months of storage. Overall, treatments did not show a consistent effect on seed storability.
ABSTRACT: Seeds of monoembryonic Eugenia L. species have the ability to regenerate seedlings from cotyledon tissues when fractionated; however, only one seedling develops in each fraction, indicating the possibility of a self-control process during germination, preventing simultaneous germination. One of the likely compounds involved in this control is gallic acid, whose concentration increases in the cotyledons when germination begins. In this study, the possible action of this compound was evaluated by pre-soaking of Eugenia brasiliensis Lam. (grumixama) seeds in gallic acid solutions of different concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 40 g.L-1), as well as direct application of these solutions to the germination substrate (vermiculite). Whole seeds and seeds fractionated in half were used. Gallic acid’s potential to inhibit germination has been confirmed, especially when applied directly to the substrate at concentrations of 20 and 40 g.L-1. The application of gallic acid also caused delay in germination and seedling development, as well as darkening, shortening, and fragility of the radicles. Thus, the relationship between increased gallic acid concentration in the cotyledons of E. brasiliensis seeds and the inhibition of new root and/or seedling formation was confirmed.
ABSTRACT: Seed drying is essential for maintaining physiological quality during storage and allows earlier harvest, thereby reducing production losses. This study aimed to evaluate the immediate and latent effects of different drying methods on germination and vigor of common bean seeds from the cultivars BRSMG Madrepérola, BRS Esteio, and BRSMG Marte. Seeds with an initial moisture content of 21-22% were manually harvested and threshed, then subjected to nine drying methods: shade drying; sun drying for 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours; and forced-air oven drying at 35, 40, 45, and 50 °C. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with four replications. Physiological quality was evaluated using germination and vigor tests at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months storage. Results demonstrated that, overall, the drying methods had no significant immediate or latent effects on germination or vigor of the three cultivars after 12 months storage. These findings suggest that, depending on technological resources available, producers may choose between sun drying on suspended screens for up to 10 hours daily or forced-air oven drying at 35-50 °C. Both methods proved effective in maintaining seed physiological quality, offering flexibility in seed processing under different production conditions.
ABSTRACT: Maintaining the physiological quality of soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds after harvest is challenging due to their lipidrich composition, which accelerates deterioration under high moisture contents and inadequate packaging. This study evaluated seeds stored with initial moisture contents of 9%, 11%, and 13% in conventional big bags and ATI (isolated atmosphere) packaging over 225 days. Seed quality was strongly influenced by the interaction between moisture content, packaging type, and storage duration. Seeds stored at 9% moisture showed greater metabolic stability, maintaining germination above 95% and high vigor throughout the storage period. In contrast, seeds stored at 11% and especially 13% moisture exhibited accelerated deterioration, reflected in reduced vigor, increased formation of weak seedlings, and higher sensitivity to stress tests. ATI packaging minimized hygroscopic fluctuations and slowed degenerative processes, outperforming conventional packaging, particularly for seeds with higher moisture. Tetrazolium, accelerated aging, and emergence tests confirmed that combining lower initial moisture with an efficient hygroscopic barrier significantly extends physiological longevity. Overall, the results indicate that storing soybean seeds at 9% moisture in ATI packaging is the most effective strategy for preserving quality during prolonged storage, whereas moisture levels above 11% intensify deterioration even under controlled environmental conditions.
