Seed Quality Of Soybean (Glycine Max [L.] Merrill) Genotypes Under Varying Storage And Priming Methods, Mother Plant Nutrient Profiles And Agro-Ecologies In Kenya

ABSTRACT

Soybean is one of the most important sources of protein and vegetable oil in the world. The demand for soybeans in Kenya is high yet production is negligible due to various challenges, one of which is lack of a well-organized soybean seed system. Soybean seed has been known to deteriorate rapidly in the tropics but the rates vary with the environment, initial quality of the seed and genotype. The broad objective of the research was to enhance soybean seed longevity and vigor through manipulation of storage and priming methods, mother plant nutrition and agro-ecology. A socio-economic survey was conducted to evaluate soybean enterprise, seed handling and quality in Meru South - Tharaka Nithi County. A seed storage trial was done to assess the effect of agro-ecology, genotype, seed dressing and storage materials on soybean seed longevity and vigor. Soybean genotypes tested Gazelle and TGx 1740-2F(SB19) were dressed with wood ash and Apron star® and stored in sealed plastic cans and synthetic gunny bags in farmers stores at Kirege (UM II) and Igambatuntu (LM IV) in Meru South. Monitoring of seed quality during 8 months of storage was done by moisture content, germination, electrical conductivity and accelerated ageing tests at Genetic Resource Research Institute Laboratory, Muguga. The effects of osmo and hydro-priming seed invigoration techniques on soybean seed quality and storability of primed seed was assessed. The influence of mother plant nutrition, genotype and agro-ecology on soybean productivity and seed quality was carried out at Muguga (LH3) and Nkoroi in (UM4) during the short rains of October-November 2013; and seed quality analyzed using accelerated ageing and electrical conductivity tests. Soybean farmers survey revealed that soybean was grown mostly by older (>40yrs -79%), small scale (0.9Ha) mixed farmers on small parcels (0.05ha) and producing low yields of about 283 kg ha-1 . Soybean was newly introduced (