The effects of the impermeable seed coat characteristic in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) on the seed's sponse to field environment, artificial drying, and storage potential were evaluated. Comparisons were made be. tween seed of ‘Dare’ and those of an experimental hardseeded line, D67‐5677‐1 which is similar to Dare in growth type and maturity. Hardseededness was beneficial in maintaining the viability of seed remaining in the field for up to 9 weeks after seed moisture initially declined to 20%. Resistance to moisture reabsorption by seed on unharvested plants of the hardseeded line was clearly superior to that of Dare, indicating a possible solution to seed viability problems encountered in areas where mature seed are exposed to extended periods of warm, humid weather. Drying hand harvested seed had no effect on viability but increased the number of hard seed. Seed from the hardseeded line displayed a substantially greater storage potential than those of the normal, Dare.