Soybean seed vigor: ethanol quantification test

The objective of this study was to verify the separation of soybean seed lots according tovigor levels by the rapid ethanol test follow ing the adapted ethylometer method. The design used was entirely randomized, with four repetitions. The treatments consisted of five soybean seed lots, which were submitted to germination tests, first germination count, accelerated aging, field emergence, and electrical conductivity and ethanol measurement test. To measure ethanol, 50 soybean seeds were placed in plastic bottles containing 50 mL of distilled water, then placed in a BOD incubator for different temperatures and exposure times. After the imbibition period, measurements were performed with the aid of an adapted ethylometer. It is possible to quantify ethanol in soybean seed lots using the adapted ethylometer equipment,however the equipment is not efficient in ranking soybean seed lots at different vigor levels.