Varietal features of agricultural longevity of soybean seeds

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of the study was to analyse the agricultural durability of soybean seeds of different maturity groups during storage. Seeds prepared to condition indicators were stored in polypropylene bags. The conditions were modelled on storage in unheated warehouses in an uncontrolled climate. Methods. 12 soybean varieties developed by Ukrainian breeding institutions were studied: Avanturin, Adamos, Almaz, Alexandrite, Anthracite, Aquamarine, Arnika, Golubka, Zlatoslava, Muza, Siverka, and Samorodok. The seeds of the 2022 harvest (Certified seeds) were stored in polypropylene bags in uncontrolled climate warehouses, simulating the conditions of seed farms. Seed quality (germination energy, laboratory germination) was assessed annually and its moisture content was checked according to current methods. Results. During the three-year storage period, the moisture content of soybean seeds remained within acceptable limits and did not exceed 14%. The highest moisture content values were observed in the first year, when this indicator ranged from 9.8% to 13.6%. Experimental data show that during the first two years of storage in uncontrolled climatic conditions, the germination rate of most of the soybean varieties under study met the requirements of the standard and even exceeded 80%. The Adamos, Avanturin, Aquamarine, Arnika, Almaz and Zlatoslava varieties showed the lowest germination rate decline in the second year of storage. Although the germination energy of seeds is not regulated by the requirements of DSTU, it remains an important criterion for growing crops. It was found that in the second year of storage, half of the varieties, such as Adamos, Avanturin, Diamond, Aquamarine, Arnika and Golubka, had a slight decrease in germination energy. In the third year, a more noticeable deterioration of this indicator was observed in all varieties. At the same time, varieties Almaz, Aquamarine, Arnika and Muza demonstrated the preservation of germination energy at a satisfactory economic level. Conclusions. It was found that soybean seeds with high protein and oil content lose germination faster when stored in an uncontrolled climate. It was found that the use of seeds that have been stored for more than two years is undesirable due to reduced germination and germination energy, which leads to uneven germination and can reduce yields.