Is it possible to estimate longevity through the analyses used to measure the initial physiological potential in soybean seeds

Abstract: The analysis of longevity can support decisions about the length of seed lot storage until commercialization, since this characteristic implies the maintenance of viability over time. Seed longevity is analyzed by the p50 test, which expresses the time to lose 50% of the initial viability. Seeds with high vigor and germination have greater physiological potential and, thus, a greater capacity to maintain quality throughout the storage period. However, there has been little research on the correlations between the analysis of p50 (longevity) and the tests used to measure physiological potential (germination and vigor) of lots, which can be used as a tool to make inferences about longevity using the most traditional tests. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate which tests used to measure the potential of lots can estimate p50. To this end, germination and vigor were evaluated using traditional tests while longevity was assessed in eight soybean seed lots. Correlations and linear regression were tested for the traditional variables versus p50. It was found that the use of accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, and time to 50% radicle protrusion has high potential to estimate longevity as measured by p50.