Soybean seed vigor is a training topic at Embrapa

A 14th edition of the Soybean Seed Vigor Course will be held from July 15th to 19th, at the headquarters of Embrapa Soja, in Londrina (PR). The training is aimed at professionals in the areas of seed production, analysis, extension, teaching and research. The course aims to present updated methodologies for the main vigor tests that can be adopted for soybeans in seed analysis laboratories.

For Embrapa Soja researcher José de Barros França Neto, course coordinator, the use of high vigor seeds can provide greater productivity in commercial crops. “Embrapa Soja demonstrated increases of up to 10% in productivity, just with the use of high vigor soybean seeds”, highlights França Neto.

The theoretical classes will be taught by researchers from Embrapa Soja and also by professors from USP (Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP) and UNESP (Faculties of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences, Jaboticabal, SP). According to the course coordinator, the pedagogical proposal covers concepts about vigor in seeds and information about the main vigor tests. In practical classes, methodologies for vigor tests and also for determining mechanical damage are demonstrated. “The use of these vigor tests by seed laboratories makes it possible to refine the quality control system”, explains França Neto. “This results in the production of higher quality seed, enabling the placing on the market of seed lots with high levels of vigor, which will ensure the establishment of the crop with vigorous plants and an ideal stand”, he says. 

About vigor 

França Neto conceptualizes seed vigor as properties of seeds that determine their potential for rapid and uniform emergence and normal development of the crop, under a wide range of environmental conditions. França highlights that to obtain high productivity rates, in addition to using high vigor seeds, the sowing operation plays a fundamental role in the process. “When implementing a commercial crop, it is important that the plant population is ideal, in accordance with the technical recommendations of the research, and composed of plants with high agronomic performance, originating from high vigor seeds”, he explains.  

Service 

16th edition of the Soybean Seed Vigor Course 

Date: July 15 to 19 

Location: Embrapa Soja headquarters, in Londrina (PR). 

Information in the link.