Biostimulants in soybeans and their effects on agronomic and qualitative characteristics

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.09736226010410

• Palavras-chave: -

• Keywords: Glycine max, agricultural bioactives, seed technology, germination.

• Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of soybean seeds treated with different doses of a biostimulant based on L-glutamic acid. The experiment was carried out in the laboratory and in a greenhouse, using a completely randomized design with five treatments and five replications. Seeds of the cultivar Brasmax Zeus IPRO were treated with doses of 0, 2, 4, 6 and, 8 mL kg-¹ of the product Vorax®. Laboratory assessments included germination and vigor tests (accelerated aging), percentages of normal and abnormal seedlings, dead seeds, shoot and root length, and seedling fresh mass. In the greenhouse, seedling emergence speed index, height, and fresh mass were evaluated. Data was subjected to analysis of variance, and the means were grouped using the Scott and Knott test at a 5% significance level. In laboratory conditions, the 2 mL kg-¹ dose showed the best results for germination, vigor, and initial development, indicating higher physiological performance of the seeds. However, in the greenhouse, higher doses such as 8 mL kg-¹ favored morphological traits like seedling height, biomass, and emergence speed. Nevertheless, excessive doses did not improve germination and, in some cases, reduced physiological quality. The results demonstrate that the biostimulant positively influences the performance of soybean seeds and seedlings; however, the ideal dose must be defined according to treatment objectives, requiring a balance between physiological seed quality and early seedling development.