Validation of Management Zones, Variability, and Spatial Distribution of the Physiological Quality of Soybean Seeds

Precision agriculture facilitates improved management by studying the spatial and temporal variability of soil attributes. Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merrill) seeds may exhibit distinct quality when produced in different management zones. This study aimed to validate management zon...

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Main Authors: Maurício Alves de Oliveira Filho, Ana Laura Costa Santos, Ricardo Ferreira Domingues, Gabriela Mariano Melazzo, Brenda Santos Pontes, Rafael Jacinto da Silva, Sandro Manuel Carmelino Hurtado, Hugo César Rodrigues Moreira Catão
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Plants
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/12/1856
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Summary:Precision agriculture facilitates improved management by studying the spatial and temporal variability of soil attributes. Soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> (L.) Merrill) seeds may exhibit distinct quality when produced in different management zones. This study aimed to validate management zones during seed production and identify the variability and spatial distribution of soybean seed physiological quality using geostatistical tools. Management zones were defined based on interpolated maps of soil and vegetation attributes using the Smart Map Plugin (SMP) within the QGIS environment. Post-harvest, the variability of physiological seed quality across different management zones was assessed. Germination, accelerated aging, dry weight, emergence, electrical conductivity, and tetrazolium tests were conducted in a completely randomized design. Soil attributes, initial plant stand, and soybean seed productivity validated the management zones. Physiological seed quality varies across the production field, particularly in terms of vigor, thereby enhancing diagnostics through map interpolation. Geostatistics enable determination of the spatial distribution of soybean seed physiological quality in seed production areas, facilitating decision-making regarding harvest zones.
ISSN:2223-7747