During accelerated aging seeds undergo degenerative changes that influence their physiological potential (germination and vigor). These changes include anatomical modifications in the cell layers of the seed coat. This research was carried out to verify the relationship between the seed coat anatomy of soybean, cultivar Monsoy 8400 and germination after seed aging. Accelerated aging was performed at 42ºC and 100% RH for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. After aging, seed water content and standard germination were determined. After aging the seeds were dried and transverse sections of 10 seed coats of each treatment were electronically micrographed, using a scanning electron microscope. The palisade, hypodermic and parenchyma cell layers were observed. The results were analyzed as a randomized complete block design. The germination percentage decreased as the aging period increased. After 48, 72, and 96 hours of aging, the seed coat cell layers showed reduced thickness. After 72 and 96 hours of seed aging, the hypodermic cells showed an appearance of collapse that was more evident after 96 hours. The reduction in the thickness of cell layers suggested the occurrence of cell collapse that influenced the decrease in seed germination potential.
Glycine max; scanning electron microscopy
