Environmental factors prevalent during the growing season in Kansas frequently result in soybean ([Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed with a high incidence of seed‐coat etching. This seed‐coat condition has been associated with seedlots which have low germination and vigor ratings. However, seedlots free of any seedcoat etching have also exhibited low levels of germination and vigor. Since the impact etching had on the performance of a soybean seedlot was unclear, this study was conducted to examine the effect of etched seed coats on the durability of soybean seed and to determine if the incidence of etching could be reduced through supplemental irrigation or a delayed planting. Seedlots of etched seeds generally were found to have 18% lower germination and were more susceptible to damage from low drop heights than were non‐etched seedlots. Handling, as simulated by the drop heights, at low moisture ilevels and low temperatures tended to cause greater amounts of damage in etched seedlots as compared with non‐etched seedlots. Supplemental irrigation did not influence the incidence of seed‐coat etching. Supplemental irrigation did increase warm germination scores by about 2%. During the hot, dry growing season of 1980 delayed planting increased the warm germination of four early maturing genotypes. However, the improvement in seed germination was accompanied by a threefold increase in the amount of etching. During the cooler and wetter growing season of 1981, date of planting did not influence the incidence of seed‐coat etching. These results emphasized the need for careful handling of soybean seed, especially lots. exhibiting the etched seed‐coat condition, but failed to identify an environment that would reduce the severity of seed‐coat etching.