Electrical conductivity of soaked seeds and seedling emergence of soybean

Abstract

The evaluation of the soybean seed vigor and your relationship with field seedling emergence are extremely important information for producer and user of seeds. The present work was carried out in order to verify the relationship between the results of the electric conductivity test and the emergence of soybean seedlings in field and laboratory. In that last one, it was used different levels of water potential in the substratum (soil): -0.03, -0.20, -0.40 and –0.60 MPa. To reach the proposed objectives, seven seed lots were evaluated in laboratory and in field. The field experiment was sowed three times (Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and 0). In laboratory, the seed water content, the germination and vigor tests (accelerated aging and electrical conductivity) were used. Based on the results it can be concluded that: the electrical conductivity of soaked seed solution can estimate the seedling emergence of soybean and the seedling emergence can be influenced by water availability and seed vigor.Additional keywords: vigor; water potential; water stress.