The accelerated aging test is one of the most useful soybean seed vigor tests. This test exposes seeds to a stress of high relative humidity (100%) and high temperature (41°C) for 48 or 72 h. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether seed size affects water uptake during the accelerated aging test and its influence on the results of this test. Soybean seed lots from cultivars BR-37 and Embrapa 48 were separated into small (11x3/4"), medium (13x3/34"), and large (14x3/4") size classes. These seeds were subjected to the germination and accelerated aging tests; this test was conducted as recommended by the Association of Official Seed Analysts, and also the "saturated salt accelerated aging" procedure. Small seeds had higher water content compared to larger seeds, after accelerated aging, even when an uniform weight of seeds was placed on the inner tray during accelerated aging. Seed analysts must consider differences in soybean seed size when conducting and interpreting results from the accelerated aging vigor test. The salt saturated accelerated aging procedure has potential application for soybean seed vigor evaluation.
Glycine max; seed analysis; physiological quality; vigor