Effect of Seed Coat Characteristics on Seed Quality in Soybean [Glycine max (L) Merrill] Genotypes with Contrasting Seed Longevity Traits

Background: The soybean seed is highly susceptible to field weathering and mechanical damages which adversely affect its longevity. Non-availability of good quality seed and post-harvest maintenance of prescribed level of seed germination and vigour until immediate planting season is the major constraint for soybean seed production. In soybean, the seed coat is one of the main determinants of seed germination, vigour and longevity potentials. Methods: In view of the same, the present study was conducted during 2015-16 and 2016-17 on 24 soybean genotypes having contrasting seed longevity traits. Freshly harvested seeds were stored for eight months under laboratory ambient environment (25 +/- 2 degrees C and 65 +/- 5% RH) for evaluation of seed coat properties which are helpful in protecting the seeds from mechanical damage during pre-and post-harvest operations and study its relation with the seed quality. Result: Black, small-seeded soybean genotypes with white hilum were found to be better storers. Thick seed coat and higher seed coat (%) with more and uniform hours glass cells attributed to better seed quality for these genotypes. Parameters like seed coat (%), lignin content and mechanical strength remained unchanged during eight months laboratory ambient storage. Based on these observations, genotypesAMSS-34 and G-2265 were identified as better genotypes, which may be exploited in soybean crop improvement programme.