Accelerated aging test reveals quantitative nature of inheritance of seed viability in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], a source of premium quality protein and oil, suffers from loss of viability of the seeds during ambient storage. The current study aimed to understand the genetics of seed viability in soybean and its association with other traits through accelerated aging (AA) test. A set of 119 F-2:3 seeds were derived from the hybridization of EC1023 (highly viable; 91.87% after one year of storage) and VLS61 (poorly viable; 60.87% germination after one year of ambient storage) were tested for viability and vigor through AA test at 41 +/- 1(o)C for 72 hours under similar to 100% relative humidity. The tested seeds differed significantly for seed viability 4.16 to 71.42% and vigor index I (6.6 -1049.66) and II (13.07-1694.88). The continuous distribution of the germination of the F-2:3 seeds indicated polygenes' involvement in controlling the seeds' viability. The percent seed germination found to be positively and significantly correlated with the average seedling length (SL) (r=0.78) and seedling dry weigh (SDW) (r=0.83); Similarly, SL was found to be associated with SDW (r=0.92). The information on the inheritance of seed viability along with the vigor indices, would facilitate genetic improvement of seed viability in soybean.