Delayed harvesting of soybean: effects on pod shattering and seed germination

Abstract

elayed harvesting on pod shattering and seed germination were investigated. Unfavorable conditions (high temperature during reproductive period and a small amount of rainfall) caused poorer seed quality, higher shattering, more excessive losses in germination with later harvesting. Considering pod shattering, it begins the second week after maturation in early varieties Ranka and Panonka, and in the third week for later varieties Balkan and Vojvodjanka, increasing rapidly, particularly under unfavourable conditions. Declined germination ability was observed in all varieties in both years, but it is stronger in early varieties under unfavourable conditions. Regression coefficients in 1994 and 1995 for the variety Ranka were b=-1.02 and b = -0.43, for Panonka b =-0.33 and b = -0.40, for Balkan b = - 0.50 and b = -0.07 and for Vojvodjanka b = -0.52 and b=-0.01.