The objective of this work was to evaluate the best time to apply desiccants to allow earlier harvesting without compromising seed quality and yield of soybean plants. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design in a factorial scheme (3x3) + 1, with four replications. One factor was composed of the desiccant herbicides paraquat, glufosinate ammonium, and glyphosate at doses of 400, 400, and 960 g a.i. ha-1, respectively. The other factor was constituted of three phenological herbicide application stages (R6, R7.2, and R8.1). Harvest anticipation, mass of 100 seeds, yield, germination, and seed vigor were evaluated. The use of herbicides combined with the phenological application stages allowed to anticipate harvest from one to six days. Desiccation of the soybean plants in pre-harvest using herbicides at different phenological stages did not affect yield. Glufosinate ammonium reduced the germination of soybean seeds when applied at R6. Glyphosate reduced the vigor of soybean seeds when applied at R6 and R7.2.
Glycine max; harvest anticipation; germination; vigor
