Differences of Water Absorption Property and Seed Viability according to Morphological Characters in Soybean Genotypes

The impermeable seed coat is valuable trait in soybean because impermeable seed retain viability for longer period than permeable seed under adverse conditions such as delayed harvest or prolonged storage. Soybean seeds of various size showing different seed hardness were examined for their water absorption and seed viability under adverse storage conditions. Of one hundred thirty nine genotypes, eight types of seeds having different seed hardness and seed size were used as material. Soybean genotypes showing high hard seed rate, GSI13125 (89%), GSI10715 (54%), and GSI10284 (42%), were slow in water absorption and low in the electroconductivity of seed leachate in distilled water. Germination of GSI10284 and GSI13125 that have higher hard seed rate was less affected by CSVT and artificial aging treatment indicating higher seed storability. The higher storing ability of both collections was confirmed by electroconductivity test for leachate. GSI10122 showed low seedling emergence when the seeds were artificially aged. This genotype was considered as to having a poor storing ability based on difference of electroconductivity before and after artificial aging. Among tests conducted in the experiment, CSVT could be used for determining storage life in legumes. In conclusion, water absorption property of seed was strongly related to the hardness that is directly related to the seed viability and storing ability in soybean seed.