Adaptation of technological packaging for conservation of soybean seeds in storage units as an alternative to modified atmospheres.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of seeds of RR and RR2 PRO soybean cultivars stored in ambient air with raffia packaging (ANER), ambient air with laminated packaging (ANEL), modified atmosphere with polyethylene packaging (AMEP), refrigerated atmosphere (1 to 3°C) with raffia packaging (ARER), refrigerated atmosphere (1 to 3°C) with laminated packaging (AREL), and modified (-14 PSI) and refrigerated (1 to 3°C) atmosphere with polyethylene packaging (AMREP), over 6 months of storage. Results showed that the seeds of cultivar RR2 were preserved with better physiological quality. Raffia and polyethylene packaging under natural storage conditions, in a refrigerated and modified atmosphere, did not preserve the seed quality over the storage period. The conditions of storage in ambient air with laminated packaging (ANEL) and in a refrigerated atmosphere with laminated packaging (AREL) reduced the environmental effects of temperature and relative humidity, leading to better results of physiological quality of the seeds. Storage time negatively influenced the physiological quality of seeds, except for AREL and ANEL, which maintained the quality close to that of the initial conditions, over the 6 months of storage. The best alternatives for soybean seeds storage over 6 months are the laminated packaging in a natural environment, matching the refrigerated conditions. The technological laminated packaging can be used as a new alternative for conserving soybean seeds in processing and storage units.