Soybean germination test: is it possible to dispense premoistening using rolled paper + vermiculite?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2025v46n6p1889Keywords:
Glycine max L, Moisture content, Physiological quality, Quality control, Imbibitional injury.Abstract
The combination of soybean seeds with low moisture content and treatment with phytosanitary products in seed germination assessment has led to inconsistent results in the rolled paper (RP) germination test. The premoistening technique, which involves slowly hydrating the seeds before the germination test, can be used to mitigate imbibitional injury in seeds with low moisture content. The rolled paper + vermiculite (RP+V) substrate, on the other hand, reduces the phytotoxicity of phytosanitary products. Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether premoistening is necessary when using the RP+V substrate. For this assessment, soybean seeds from a single lot were dried to different moisture contents and were then treated or not treated with phytosanitary products. The experiment was carried out in a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, consisting of three seed moisture contents (12%, 10%, and 8%), two types of premoistening activity (with and without), and two substrates (RP and RP+V). Premoistening improved germination rates, especially for seeds with 8% moisture content. Without premoistening, RP+V enhanced seed-quality expression, possibly reducing imbibitional damage. In addition, RP+V resulted in a higher percentage of strong normal seedlings, signaling better initial development. It can be concluded that RP+V does not eliminate the need for premoistening, and both are effective practices in assessing the quality of low moisture content soybean seeds, even when they have been treated with phytosanitary products. This combination of techniques optimizes the germination test, ensuring more reliable results for assessing germination potential.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Venicius Urbano Vilela Reis, Danilo Cordeiro Maciel, Giulyana Isabele Silva Tavares, Leticia Moreno, Alvaro Alves de Andrade, Vinicius Rodrigues, Everson Reis Carvalho
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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Grant numbers 314408/2021-5 -
Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais
Grant numbers APQ-01869-18 -
Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
Grant numbers 001
