Physiological potential of soybean seeds produced in the Ceará State

Abstract

The evaluation of the quality of seeds has been fundamental in the programs of quality control. The present work aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds from the cultivars BRS 219 Boa Vista, BRS Tracajá, BRS Sambaíba, BRS Candeia, BRS MA 165 Seridó, BRS Juçara and MA BR 971665, produced in two different regions of the State of Ceará. The seeds were produced in Quixadá and Pentecoste in 2005. The seeds were tested for germination, first germination counting, seedling emergency, emergency index velocity, and dry weight of the aerial part. In all cultivars of soybean tested the physiological quality of the seeds produced in Quixada counties was better than the physiological quality of those produced in Pentecoste. According to the tests, the cultivars BRS 219 Boa Vista, BRS Tracajá, BRS Sambaíba and BRS Candeia presented superior performance, while the cultivars BRS MA 165 Seridó and MA BR 971665 presented intermediate performance and BRS Juçara the lowest germination and vigor.