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

## TL;DR

This study shows how precision agriculture can improve soybean seed quality by identifying and validating different management zones in fields.

## Contribution

The study validates management zones and uses geostatistics to map the spatial distribution of soybean seed physiological quality.

## Key findings

- Physiological seed quality varies across production fields, especially in terms of vigor.
- Geostatistical tools help determine the spatial distribution of seed quality for better harvest decisions.
- Soil and vegetation attributes effectively validate distinct management zones in soybean fields.

## Abstract

Precision agriculture facilitates improved management by studying the spatial and temporal variability of soil attributes. Soybean (Glycine max (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.