Pre-harvest desiccation of soybean plants with glyphosate has been routinely conducted by seed producers, although it is not recommended because it may reduce seed physiological quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the pre-harvest desiccation of plants with glyphosate on the physiological quality of soybean seeds harvested at two different periods after application. The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, with four replications and subdivided plots. Main plots consisted of the presence and absence of a pre-harvest desiccation of soybean plants with glyphosate at the R7 stage, and subplots of seeds harvested 7 and 14 days after application. Moisture content, mechanical damage, viability, weight of 100 seeds, protein content and accumulation of glyphosate residues were determined after harvest. Physiological quality was evaluated by tests for germination, accelerated aging, electrical conductivity, seedling length and seedling dry matter. Pre-harvest desiccation of soybean plants with glyphosate reduces seed germination and seedling development. Delayed harvesting reduces the germination of soybean seeds produced by plants desiccated with glyphosate, but minimizes phytotoxicity in seedling development.
Glycine max; phytotoxicity; germination; physiological maturity
