Identification of soybean seed coat damage

The objective of this research was to evaluate the tests for detection of mechanical damages in soybeans seeds. Thus, it was compared the use of sodium hypochlorite solution (2.0% and 5.25%), water and tetrazolium solution (0.075%). The study was conducted in soybean seeds, from the cultivars Embrapa 48 and FTS Aguia with, respectively, 8.08% and 6.06% of lignin on seed coat, which were harvested mechanically and manually. The seed quality was evaluated by water content, germination and vigor (tetrazolium and electrical conductivity tests). The mechanical damages in soybean seeds, of immediate effect, can be determined by the use of the 2.0% sodium hypochlorite solution.