Performance of soybean cultivars for increased seedling emergence after sowing in dry soil

Abstract

The soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) sowing in dry soil occurs under high temperature and low soil moisture conditions, which can impair seed vigor and emergence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dry soil storage on the soybean seed physiological quality of soybean seeds and the performance of high-vigor cultivars under these conditions. For this, a 3 × 3 factorial was applied, consisting of three soybean cultivars and three dry soil storage times (14, 7, and 0 days), in a completely randomized design, with four replicates. The evaluated traits were: emergence at 7 days, emergence at 14 days, radicle length, epicotyl length, and seedling dry mass. The data were subjected to analysis of variance, Scott-Knott mean grouping, and Pearson linear correlation. The cultivar × dry soil storage time interaction was significant for all traits, which allowed the evaluation of cultivar performance for higher seed physiological quality. The cultivar NA 5909 RG showed higher seedling emergence at 7 days (57%) when subjected to 14 days of sowing in dry soil (DSS), while the cultivar BMX Delta was superior at 0 DSS. Seed physiological quality was statistically similar at 0 and 7 DSS, and lower at 14 DSS. The genetic variability obtained between cultivars allows specific recommendation of cultivars for different water availability conditions and storage periods in dry soil. The cultivar NA 5909 RG is recommended for sowing in dry soil with up to 14 days of no rain, while the cultivar BMX Delta has higher vigor under readily available water.