Physiological quality of soybean (Glycine max. L.) seeds during to processing

Processing is an important phase in the seed industry. It encompasses important steps to attain seed quality and high performance. The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seed cultivars during important steps of that process. A completely randomized design in a 4 x 5 factorial arrangement with four replicates was used. Samples of three soybean cultivars (Vencedora, Emgopa 313, Luziania - non transgenic and one genetically modified - Valiosa) were drawn in five points of the processing chain: 1 degrees - seed dryer; 2 degrees - bucket elevator number 1; 3 degrees - bucket elevator number 2; 4 degrees - bucket elevator number 3; and 5 degrees - seed spiral separator. The following tests were performed: germination, first count, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity and tetrazolium (viability and vigor). Results obtained indicated that seeds from cultivars Emgopa-313, Luziania and Valiosa - RR presented physiological quality higher than Vencedora, in all stages of processing. To cultivar seeds of Vencedora, the number of elevators mug during the stages of drying and processing time increased the percentage of mechanical damage to seed.