The research was conducted at the Núcleo Experimental de Ciências Agrárias of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul(UFMS), in Dourados, MS. The objectives were to evaluate seed viability and vigor of nine soybean genotypes (five cultivars: EMBRAPA-64, EMBRAPA-4, BR-16, FT-Abyara, and IAC-100; and four lines: BRD-9527, BRD-9651, BRD-9507, and BRD-9502), with different seed coat colors and coat tickness, harvested at stage R8 and 14 days later. After harvest, seed coat thickness and water uptake (%) was determined. Seed viability was evaluated trough germination and tetrazolium tests, and seed vigor was evaluated through emergence in sand, tetrazolium and through accelerated aging tests. Lines BRD-9561 (black coat), BRD-9527 (brown coat), BRD-9507 and BRD-9502 (yellow) had thicker teguments, but this characteristic per se does not guarantee greater plant vigor and viability. Delaying harvest resulted in low seed vigor and viability and increased imbibitions percentage in water.
Soybean seed; coat thickness; harvest delaying; seed vigor and viability
