Study the effect of different seed moisture contents at harvest(before processing) on soybean seed cultivars germination and vigor

This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of seed moisture content at harvest on soybean seeds germination and vigor. The experiment was conducted as factorial on the basis of completely randomized design in three replications. The treatments were variety at 3 levels(Williams, Sahar and D.P.X) and moisture content of seed at three levels(12-14, 14-16 and 16-18 percent) and the measured traits were mechanical damage and germination percent and two vigor tests including the electrical conductivity test and accelerated aging test. The results showed there was the moisture effect on germination percent was significant, the seeds with 16-18% moisture had the lowest germination percent and had a significant difference with other two moisture levels. There was a significant difference in electrical conductivity between cultivars and Sahar had the highest amount of electrical conductivity. The difference between three moisture levels was also significant. At accelerated aging test the cultivars showed significant difference. The cultivar of D.P.X had the highest germination ability and the cultivar of Sahar had the lowest percent of germination after accelerated aging test. Also there was a significant difference among moisture levels. 12-14% seed moisture content showed the maximum germination percent.