Abstract
Decrease in quality of seeds has been shown with improper desiccation. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. cv. Tamahomare) seeds were subjected to five different ratios of seed to silica gel, ranging from 5: 1 to 50: 1 in weight basis, until 6% moisture content was achieved. The ratios of 20: 1 and 30: 1 appeared to be optimum since no significantly detrimental effects on seed viability and vigor were observed. The ratios of 5: 1, 10: 1 and 50 : 1 had no significant effect on viability, but they significantly reduced vigor and increased seedcoat cracking. However, no correlation between vigor and cracking was detected. The possible causes of reduction in vigor were discussed.
