Soybean seeds submitted to rapid hydration may be damaged by imbibitions with the intensity depending on the seed cultivar and initial moisture content. The present study evaluated physiological changes measured by pre-hydration methods to minimize damage by imbibition. Three lots of each soybean cultivar, CD 202 and CD 215, of uniform size, were evaluated for their moisture content, germination, germination first count, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and seedling emergence in the field. The moisture contents of seeds were adjusted to 7.5, 10.5 and 13.5%. The seeds were pre-hydrated in a saturated atmosphere and moist substrate for four to six hours and then evaluated for electrical conductivity after 24 hours, and also for germination and field seedling emergence. Pre-hydration treatments in a saturated atmosphere and on a moist substrate for four to six hours effectively reduced damage to seeds with a low moisture content, especially for the CD 202 cultivar. However, pre-hydration on a moist substrate for six hours was more efficient for both genotypes, with fewer solutes leached, and confirmed by a lower value observed for the electrical conductivity test. This resulted in an improved performance in germination tests and seedling emergence in the field.
Glycine max; electrical conductivity; imbibition damage
