Reduction in the yield and physiological quality of soybean seeds caused by the tractor wheels during the application of agrochemicals.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of crushed soybean (Glycine max (L.) rows caused by the tractor wheels during the application of pesticides on yield and seed physiological quality. The soybean cropping area was in Jari County, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, in 2006/2007 growing season. Five rows of soybean plants were collected, in different positions according to the tractor wheels. Seed quality analysis was done in the Laboratory of Seeds Analysis of the Faculdade de Agronomia “Eliseu Maciel”/Universidade Federal de Pelotas. The physiological quality and yield of the seeds were evaluated by a germination test, first counting, accelerated aging, tetrazolium, weight of 100 seeds and yield. It was observed that the rows crushed by the tractor wheels reduced yield and seed physiological quality.