The main objective of this research work was to determine early-maturing soybean cultivar (IAC-100, IAC-16, IAC-Foscarin-31, BR-4 and IAS-5) seed production in the dry season, under irrigation. Field experiments were carried out in Campinas and Votuporanga, São Paulo State, Brazil, during the dry season (Autumn/Winter) as well as during the traditional growing season (late Spring/Summer) to compare sowing time effects on seed quality. Plant height, number of nodes per plant, first pod insertion height, number of seeds per plant, weight of 1,000 seeds and yield, were evaluated at harvest maturity (R8 development stage). Seed germination was evaluated right after harvesting and at the onset of the following sowing season. Viable seed yields were also estimated at those times. Results showed that early-maturing soybean cultivars can be sown in the dry season, mainly in regions where traditional sowing (wet season) does not result in proper seed quality, not allowing the maintenance of reasonable seed germination potential up to the following sowing season. The decision of delaying sowing time should be based on total and viable seed yields, taking into account the estimated seed viability at the following sowing season.
Glycine max (L.) Merrill; planting date; storage; seed quality
