Why do some soybean seed lots live longer than others? The intrinsic nature of soybean seed longevity

Abstract

Seed longevity refers to the ability of a seed to preserve viability and vigor throughout storage. However, early loss of quality during storage is still frequently observed in soybean seed lots, constituting one of the main challenges of the production chain in tropical environments. This review details longevity as a property with a strong intrinsic influence and not determined exclusively by storage conditions. The intrinsic factors associated with longevity and the processes by which this attribute is progressively established throughout development are discussed, based on the interaction between genotype, environment and management. The review redefines the concept of maximum physiological quality associated with the point of physiological maturity and repositions late maturation as a physiologically active phase, marked by metabolic, structural and molecular adjustments related to the acquisition of longevity of soybean seeds. Additionally, it is proposed to update the reproductive scale of soybean for seed production, integrating the sequential order of acquisition of physiological quality attributes. This review offers an integrated interpretation for the variability observed among soybean seed lots, contributing to the improvement of field management and to greater predictability of seed performance during storage.