Effect of tear/crack on soybean (Glycine max) seed coat, physiological quality and pathology of the seed

Seed coat tear is frequently occurs in some soybean cultivars. The impact of seed coat tear on seed physiology and sanitation is uncertain. Our objective was to analyze the physiological and pathological effect of tear on soybean (Glycine max) seed coat. The cultivars NS-8338-IPRO (with high incidence of tear) and NS-6906-IPRO (with low incidence of tear) were used. A tetrazolium test was used to assess the physiological quality of the seed coat before and after storage. The sanitary quality was assessed through the "Blotter Test". For each storage period, we evaluated seeds with 0% coat tear, up to 10%, and above 10%. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design using the methodologies proposed by RAS. The coat tear on soybean seed positively contributed to the moisture damage affecting the inner part of the seed. Incidences of Fusarium sp. and Aspergillus sp. were frequently observed in torn seeds and in seeds without tear (around 9-10%) but did not interfere with seed quality. The appearance of coat tear on soybean seed is increased by moisture damage and do not serve as a gateway for the fungi to cause damage during seed emergence.