Strategies to improve the seed quality and storability of soybean – A review

Production of high quality soybean seed which could retain its viability through a storage season is a major challenge in most areas of the humid tropics and sub-tropics. The rapid seed deterioration of soybean is thought to be due to lipid peroxidation. Subsequently resulting in loss of seed quality and viability. The seed invigoration of soybean could be a tool in improving the quality of soybean seed during storage. Soybean seed reaches its maximum potential for germination and vigour at physiological maturity and starts deteriorating on plant itself if harvesting is delayed (field weathering). Mechanical damage is another major factor responsible for deterioration in seed quality during post harvest processing and storage. Care must be taken during harvesting, threshing, processing, packing, transporting and storage to reduce the rate of deterioration in seed quality of soybean.