The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of pre-hydration on the efficiency of the electrical conductivity test in the evaluation of the physiological potential of soybean seeds. Seeds of six lots of cv. BRS - 231, uniform size retained in the sieve 6,5mm, were submitted to the pre-hydration treatments in saturated atmosphere and in humidified substratum, for 3, 6, 9 and 12 hours, before immersion in water and posterior reading of the electrical conductivity test at 18 and 24 hours. The quality of the lots was evaluated by the determination of water content and the stand germination, cold test without soil, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity tests without pre-hydration after 18 and 24 hours and seedling emergence in the field. The methods of pre-hydration saturated atmosphere and humidified substratum can improve the efficiency of the electric conductivity test, when compared directly with seeds soaked in pre-hydration water. Times, starting from six hours up to twelve hours can be used to identify less accentuated differences in the physiological quality of soybean seeds for readings after 18 and 24 hours imbibition.
Glycine max; imbibition; vigor
