An alternative procedure in the tetrazolium test for soybean seed

Abstract

The aim of this work was to develop an alternative procedure for reducing the soybean seed preconditioning in the tetrazolium test. Two imbibition periods (four and six hours) at 41^oC were tested and compared to the traditionally recommended period for preconditioning of 16 hours at 25 ºC. Seeds of twelve cultivars were used, and classified into two sizes. The parameters used were: vigor [TZ (1-3)]; viability [TZ (1-5)]; weathering [TZ (6-8)]; mechanical damage [TZ (6-8)]; stink bug damage [TZ (6-8)]; and seed moisture content. The staining pattern developed on the seeds after a preconditioning period of six hours at 41 ºC is suitable for the evaluation of the quality of soybean seeds by the tetrazolium test. Seed preconditioning procedures for the tetrazolium test evaluated in this experiment were not affected by the size of soybean seeds; the 6 hour/41^oC treatment reduces the period of preconditioning by ten hours when compared to the recommended procedures of 16 hours at 25ºC. To sum up, in the tetrazolium test for soybean seeds, the preconditioning conditions of 6 hour/41^oC can be used successfully, without impairing the precision required by the test.