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Staging Soybean Seedling Growth from Germination to Emergence
Author(s) -
Muthiah S.,
Longer David E.,
Harris W.M.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1994.0011183x003400010053x
Subject(s) - seedling , biology , germination , imbibition , sowing , agronomy , maturity (psychological) , cultivar , horticulture , botany , psychology , developmental psychology
Scientists engaged in seed research are often forced to refer to sequential developments of seedling growth in terms of days or hours after planting. Such terms are imprecise, because seedlings develop at different rates depending on seed condition, treatment, and environment. Fehr and coworkers in 1971 published an accurate and consistent description of soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] development from emergence to harvest maturity. Our objective was to devise a system of staging soybean seedling development up to emergence. Laboratory germination was conducted on four soybean cultivars, representing three maturity groups, in a specially designed germination apparatus. Rate of growth and seedling development were recorded at 6‐h intervals between onset of imbibition and full seedling development. Six developmental stages were identified, based on distinct and consistent morphological changes. Adoption of this developmental staging system will allow more precise scientific communication regarding soybean development from the initiation of germination to emergence.