Effect of Different Sowing Seasons on Germinability, Vigor, Protein and Lipid Content of Germinating Seeds from Photo and Thermo Insensitive Soybean Genotypes

Seeds of two soybean genotypes ‘SL(E) 27’ and ‘SL(E)28’ collected at three different sowing seasons (February (S1), June (S2) and August (S3), year 2009), were evaluated in the laboratory by germination test at 25, 30 and 35°C. Higher percentage of germination and vigor index were recorded in ‘SL(E)27’ than ‘SL(E)28’ in every season and at 25 & 35°C whereas, reverse trend was found at 30°C. Dry matter content of cotyledons from germinating seeds was significantly higher in S2 than S1 and S3 sowing. Protein and oil content of cotyledons and embryonic axis from seeds germinated at different temperatures was significantly higher in S2 as compared to S1 and S3. Intervarietal differences in dry matter, protein and oil content were statistically significant in case of cotyledons of germinating soybean in all the treatments. Results suggest that the seeds produced in S2 sowing showed higher germination percentage and vigor index values as compared to seeds from early and late sowing seasons and ‘SL(E)27’ seeds showed better germination percentage and vigor index than ‘SL(E)28’ at 25°C in every season.