Aged soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merrill) seeds: Their physiology and vigor assessment

The physiology of seed deterioration was studied with accelerated and naturally aged soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seeds. Accelerated aged (AA) seeds of "Flint" were aged for 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h at 41 and 43°C and 100% relative humidity. Seedling vigor analyses for vigor index and growth were analyzed with scanned images of 3d-old seedlings. Embryonic and cotyledonary tissues from 3d-old seedlings were used for mitochondrial isolation and specific enzyme activity studies. In cotyledonary tissues, respiratory activities were lower than embryonic tissues. Antioxidant activities of glutathione peroxidase were at high levels in accelerated aged embryonic tissues. Increased oxygen uptake measurements with reduced beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and reduced oxidation with succinate as substrates indicated respiratory capacities of isolated mitochondria. Oxygen uptake with both these substrates was higher in embryonic mitochondria than from cotyledons. These studies emphasize that specific enyme activities in mitochondria increased in embryonic tissues and decreased in storage tissues of soybean seeds subjected to AA treatment. Transmission electron microscopy of the ultra-structure of mitochondria from embryonic tissues of aged seeds indicated damage to inner membranes. Seedling vigor was studied with an automated imaging technique called the Seedling Vigor Imaging System (SVISRTM). Following AA, the aged seeds of "Flint" were treated with a seed coating fungicide, RivalRTM [Captan (N-trichloromethylthio-4-cyclohexene-1,2-dicarboximide)], to reduce storage fungal infection. Germination, dead seed percentages and SVIS RTM parameters such as growth, vigor index and uniformity were highly significant for AA duration, temperature and RivalRTM treatment. Independent experiments with "Kottman" seeds were tested with SVIS RTM for seedling vigor effects on standardized germination testing protocols such as alternating temperatures of 20-30°C and 25°C, water content in germination papers and time of scan. Intra- and inter-seed lot variability of seed lots was also evaluated. These studies emphasize that mitochondrial activities differ in tissues of aged seeds and SVISRTM could be used for seedling vigor testing in soybean.