Drying and storage of soybean seeds: effect on early growth of seedlings

The seeds drying allows to reduces the moisture content to appropriate levels for storage. However, to pay attention with the temperatures applied in the process are important. The study was carried to evaluate the performance of soybean seedlings derived from seeds submitted to different drying air temperatures and storage times. Harvested with a water content of approximately 23% (w.b.), the seeds were subjected to different drying temperatures (40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 °C) to a water content of 12,5 ± 0,7% (w.b.), being subsequently stored, under a non-controlled environment, for 180 days. Each 45 days was carried the germination test and the evaluations of the performance of seedlings, determining the full length and the hypocotyl and root lengths, and their respective masses of dry matter. The results found showed that: a) the increase in drying air temperature affect the physiological quality of soybean seeds, effect that enhance with the storage time, especially on the root length; b) the air temperature of 40 °C can be recommended for the drying of soybean seeds, and even associated with the storage time of 180 days under uncontrolled conditions.