Quality of soybean seeds with different lignin content obtained from desiccated plants

Abstract

Soybean farmers have been using desiccation to anticipate harvesting, however, this technique is frequently questioned when used in seeds production fields, since residues left by desiccants may harm the seeds quality, especially those with fragile tegument. The aim of this study was to evaluate how desiccants applied in different times affect the quality of soybean seeds with different lignin content in the tegument. Plants of cultivars BRS Silvânia RR, BRS Valiosa RR, BRS 245 RR, and BRS 247 RR were desiccated with three commercial herbicides, besides one control treatment, in three application times, when seeds showed 30, 40, and 50% of water content. Seeds quality was evaluated performing the tests of germination, emergence, emergence speed index, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, tetrazolium and seed yield. The lignin content in soybean seeds has high negative correlation with seed yield and with traits related to the seeds quality. In general, the plants desiccation with the herbicide Finale® harms the seeds quality.