RESUMO O trabalho teve como objetivo estudar variações nos parâmetros envolvidos no teste do pH do exsudato e alagamento para caracterização da qualidade fisiológica de sementes de soja. Inicialmente, foi determinado o teor de água e realizados os testes de germinação, primeira contagem, emergência e índice de velocidade de emergência. No teste do pH do exsudato foram estudadas variações no período de embebição e temperatura; e no teste de alagamento foram estudadas variações na quantidade de água e temperatura. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições, e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Scott-Knott a 5% de probabilidade. Foi estimado o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson entre os testes do pH do exsudato e alagamento com a emergência de plântulas. O teste do pH do exsudato pode ser utilizado na avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de soja, sendo que este deve ser realizado na temperatura de 20 ºC por 30 minutos de embebição. O teste de alagamento é eficiente na avaliação do vigor de sementes de soja, podendo ser realizado nas combinações 25 ºC/50 mL ou 30 ºC/75 mL, durante 4 h. | ABSTRACT The present study aimed to assess the variations in the parameters of the exudate pH and flooding tests to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds. We subjected the lots of soybean seeds to germination, emergence, exudate pH, and flooding tests. Further, water content of the seeds, first count of germination, and emergence speed index were also determined. The exudate pH test studied the variations in the soaking period and temperature, while the flooding test assessed the variations in the amount of water and temperature at different periods of immersion. The experiment design was completely randomized. The results were presented as means and were compared using the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the exudate pH and emergence of seedlings, and also between the flooding test result and emergence of seedlings were calculated. The results of the study indicated that the exudate pH test can be used to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds after 30 min of imbibition at 20 °C. Further, the flooding test was efficient in evaluating the vigor of soybean seeds after 4 h of immersion either in 50 mL of distilled water at 25 °C or in 75 mL of distilled water at 30 °C.

The present study aimed to assess the variations in the parameters of the exudate pH and flooding tests to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds. We subjected the lots of soybean seeds to germination, emergence, exudate pH, and flooding tests. Further, water content of the seeds, first count of germination, and emergence speed index were also determined. The exudate pH test studied the variations in the soaking period and temperature, while the flooding test assessed the variations in the amount of water and temperature at different periods of immersion. The experiment design was completely randomized. The results were presented as means and were compared using the Scott-Knott test at 5% probability. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the exudate pH and emergence of seedlings, and also between the flooding test result and emergence of seedlings were calculated. The results of the study indicated that the exudate pH test can be used to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds after 30 min of imbibition at 20 °C. Further, the flooding test was efficient in evaluating the vigor of soybean seeds after 4 h of immersion either in 50 mL of distilled water at 25 °C or in 75 mL of distilled water at 30 °C.