Impact of Post-Harvest Operations on Seed Quality in Soybean

Abstract

The influence of threshing, cleaning and processing operations on seed quality in two varieties of soybean was studied with an objective to identify the best post-harvest operation to maintain seed viability and vigour. The two varieties viz. Basara and JS 335 were subjected to five different post-harvest operations and two sieve sizes of 3.75 and 4.00 mm. The mechanical damage (%), seed recovery (%), physical purity (%), germination (%), seedling vigour Index II (SVI II), field emergence, electrical conductivity, amino acids and total soluble sugars in seed leachates of processed seed were determined. Among the two varieties Basara recorded lowest mechanical damage and higher germination and field emergence compared to JS 335. The highest seed quality with lowest mechanical damage was reported in seed threshed and cleaned manually. Electrical conductivity showed a non-significant variation in all the treatments while amino acids and total soluble sugars in seed leachates were lowest in Basara. The character association studies revealed a positive association of germination and field emergence and negative association of germination and mechanical damage, amino acids and total soluble sugars in seed leachates.