Addition of biostimulant to the industrial treatment of soybean seeds: physiological quality and yield after storage

Abstract: This study aimed to compare the results of germination, vigor, and yield of high- and low-vigor soybean seeds submitted to on-farm application of biostimulant with its application via industrial treatment 60 days before sowing. The experimental design was a factorial arrangement of 6 × 2 × 2 (technology × vigor level × strategy of biostimulant application) for the laboratory experiment and of 6 × 2 (technology × strategy of biostimulant application) for the field experiment. Germination, accelerated aging, emergence in sand, seedling dry biomass, and electrical conductivity were assessed in the laboratory, while stand, one thousand-grain weight, and yield were assessed in the field. Biostimulant application in soybean seeds not coated with pesticides did not affect the physiological quality regardless of the application moment (at the day of sowing or at 60 days before sowing). However, when applied in seeds coated with fungicides and insecticides, better results of germination, vigor, and yield were obtained with the on-farm use of biostimulant.