Preventing Imbibition Damage before the Germination of Soybean Seeds (Part 1)

——Examination of Imbibition Damage Factor——

Abstract

MRI observations have revealed that imbibition damage to soybeans is caused by cracking of the cotyledon and its vascular bundles due to rapid moisture uptake. Imbibition damage was worst in hard, dry seeds, but was avoided by both raising the overall moisture content to about 15% w.b. and limiting the moisture difference between the surface and the internal parts to within 2% w.b. To obtain this moisture distribution, a total of 3-4 days was needed to permit moisture absorption and equilibration when 15% w.b. was adopted as the seed moisture content. The use of moisture-adjusted seeds should be of considerable help in preventing imbibition damage when sowing during Japan's rainy season.