Soybean seeds were coated with fertilizer by the atomization of a fertilizer suspension using a spouted bed. The efficiency of coating adhesion was measured as the coating mass adhering to the seeds and the sprayed solids mass. The change in moisture mass between coated and uncoated seeds was considered in the evaluation of yield. A study of binder concentration and process time was conducted in order to discover conditions under which germination of coated seeds was feasible. Final experiments were done in order to quantify the influences of spouted bed air temperature and fertilizer suspension flowrate on the process yields and the germination capacity of coated seeds. Two empirical equations resulted from the use of Myers' surface technique ( 1 9 7 6 ) . These equations predict yield and germination for the range of variables studied.

A coffee plant producing large fruit, seeds, and leaves in relation to conventional coffee plants, possibly generated by genetic mutation, was named Big Coffee VL. Seeds of this coffee plant were classified by size and used to establish the crop, whose progenies were designated as Big Coffee VL. large, Big Coffee VL. medium, and Big Coffee VL. small. The aim in this study was to investigate desiccation tolerance, together with size classification, and evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds of this progeny. Seeds of each type of Big Coffee VL. and of the cultivar Topázio were collected. High moisture seeds and seeds dried to 11% moisture content were evaluated to assess desiccation tolerance. Dried seeds of each Big Coffee VL. progeny and of the Topázio cultivar were classified by size in sieve testing using oblong screens for separation of peaberry seeds, and circular sieves from 22 to 12 for separation of flat seeds. All seeds were subjected to physiological evaluation through the germination test and determination of seedling dry matter. A completely randomized experimental design (CRD) was used; results were subjected to analysis of variance and means compared by the Scott-Knott test. Big Coffee VL. seeds tolerate desiccation to moisture content of 11% wet basis. Seeds of the Topázio cultivar have better physiological performance than seeds of the Big Coffee VL progenies. The bigger the seeds of Big Coffee VL., the better their physiological performance, exhibiting greater seedling dry matter.