The effect of drying temperatures and storage of seeds on the growth of soybean seedlings

Abstract: Drying of seeds reduces their moisture content to levels appropriate for storage. However, care in the temperatures applied in the process is necessary to avoid damage to the seeds that are dried. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different drying temperatures and storage on the growth of soybean seedlings. Harvested with a moisture content of approximately 23% (w.b.), the seeds were dried at different temperatures (40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C) until reaching moisture content of 12.5 ± 0.7% (w.b.), and they were subsequently stored for 180 days in an environment without climate control. A germination test and evaluations of seedling performance were carried out every 45 days, determining the full length of the seedling and hypocotyl and root lengths, along with their respective dry matter weights. The results showed that: a) the increase in the temperature of drying air affects the physiological quality of soybean seeds, and this effect is accentuated over time, especially on root length; and b) the air temperature of 40 °C can be recommended for drying of soybean seeds in association with the storage time of 180 days under storage conditions without climate control.