Rapid Screening Tolerance of 19 Soybean Varieties to Drought in the Germination Phase

Drought stress is an inhibiting factor for plant growth and development. Drought stress reduces the seed to germinate and to grow on different varieties. Response to germination to drought stress is the beginning signal of drought tolerance for several varieties of plants. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the germination response of 16 soybean varieties, to determine the degree of drought stress tolerance of 19 soybean varieties, and to identify varieties that are tolerant as well as sensitive to drought which stimulated by polyethylene glycol (PEG). Soybean seeds were added to sand media containing PEG (6000) at concentrations of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% which were equivalent to 0, -0.03 Mpa, -0.19 Mpa, -041 and 067 Mpa for 8 days. The germination responses by calculating the vigor index, germination, root length, hypocotyl length, root length and hypocotyl length ratio, fresh weight sprouts. Inhibition of germination increases with a reduction in water potential. Each soybean seed tested showed different germination responses which were different under drought stress conditions. The results of 19 varieties showed only one variety which was identified to be drought-tolerant, however, 9 varieties were identified as medium droughttolerant, and 9 varieties were identified as sensitive to drought. The variety that was tolerant to drought was Gepak Kuning. Varieties that were sensitive to drought were Dena 2, Dega 1, Wilis, Edamame, Devatra 1, Devatra 2, Grobogan, Anjasmoro, and Detam 1.