Seed treatment with micronutrients is a crucial strategy for providing early seedling supply during development, and is commonly employed in soybean cultivation. However, responses to micronutrient treatment may vary based on seed vigor levels. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potential of hyperspectral imaging combined with preprocessing and machine learning, compared to X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, in evaluating the dynamics of micronutrient uptake during the germination of soybean seeds with varying levels of vigor. Two seed lots with differing levels of vigor were utilized for the analysis. The absorption of micronutrients by the seeds was evaluated using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), microprobe X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) in two regions of interest (cotyledons and the embryonic axis). Artificial neural network (ANN), decision tree (DT) and partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) classification models, along with the Savitzky–Golay (SG), standard normal variation (SNV) and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) methods, were employed to determine seed vigor based on the impact of micronutrient treatment. XRF identified higher concentrations of micronutrients in the treated seeds, with zinc being the predominant element. μ-XRF analysis revealed that a significant proportion of the micronutrients remained adhered to the hilum and seed coat, irrespective of seed vigor. The PLS-DA classification model using spectral data exhibited higher accuracy in classifying soybean seeds with high and low vigor, regardless of seed treatment with micronutrients and the analyzed region.

Cobalt, molybdenum, and nickel are elements directly involved in biological nitrogen fixation in legume plants. However, there is a lack of information about the effects of the interaction among these elements on seed vigor and plant development. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of these elements on soybean seeds with higher and lower vigor, focusing on nitrogen metabolism and plant development under controlled conditions. The two lots of soybean seeds (higher and lower vigor) were treated with doses of 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mL kg⁻¹ of seeds of a liquid commercial product composed of cobalt, molybdenum, and nickel. At the full flowering stage, urease and nitrogenase activities, dry biomass of shoots, roots, and nodules, nitrogen concentration in shoots, plant height, number of nodules, and the efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation (measured by nitrogen-15 isotopic ratio) were assessed. Urease activity increased by 191% in high-vigor seed plants and 65% in low-vigor seed plants. Nitrogenase activity was higher in higher-vigor plants. Nodule dry biomass increased by 42% in lower-vigor plants compared to the control treatment, while in higher-vigor plants, it decreased with increasing doses. Shoot biomass was 30% higher than the control at the 2 mL kg⁻¹ dose. In general, the best responses to the application of the elements in the evaluated variables were observed with the doses of 2 and 4 mL kg⁻¹. It is concluded that the appropriate application of cobalt, molybdenum, and nickel on seeds enhances growth and symbiotic efficiency. However, excessive doses may cause phytotoxic effects.

Computerized seedling image analysis is available as a resource for evaluating seed vigor or as an auxiliary component while carrying out different tests. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the Vigor-S system for interpretation of the accelerated aging test, rather than setting up the germination test for determination of soybean seed vigor. Nine seed lots of the soybean cultivar NS 7007 IPRO were used, which were tested for germination and vigor (electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, primary root emergence, seedling emergence in the field, and Vigor-S). To check the alternative procedure after accelerated aging, seeds that had been exposed to accelerated aging (the traditional procedure and with saturated salt solution) were placed to germinate; seedling images collected three days after germination at 25 °C were digitalized and analyzed by Vigor-S, obtaining vigor indices, hypocotyl length, primary root length, and total seedling length, which were subsequently compared with the results of the other vigor tests. The Vigor-S analyses made after both procedures of the accelerated aging test allow ranking of the seed lots in regard to vigor, in a way similar to the other tests recommended for soybean seeds, including the seedling emergence test.

Conventional intensification of agriculture has contributed to climate change and consequently influenced the food security of a growing global population. Sustainable cultivation alternatives are a viable means of overcoming this problem; however, the literature lacks studies that demonstrate the extent of these practices at a global level. One of the ways to observe research behavior in an area of knowledge is through bibliometric analysis. The objective of this work was to carry out a bibliometric analysis of the intensification and sustainability of production systems between 2013 and 2023. For this, a final set of data with 480 files was used to carry out analyses to identify the evolution and exploration of the theme, keywords and scientific relevance and prominence in the theme. The results demonstrated an increase in the number of publications, highlighting Asian countries as the most influential on the subject and an evolution in trending keywords within the topic. Through bibliometrics it was possible to understand the evolution of intensification and sustainability of production systems, offering valuable perspectives on improving productivity in conjunction with environmental conservation.

O preparado de raízes finas noduladas de feijão-caupi é uma alternativa de inoculação com estirpes que realizam a fixação biológica de nitrogênio de comunidade microbiana localmente adaptada às condições de clima e solos, bem como, às variedades locais. Esse trabalho avaliou o efeito da inoculação a partir de um preparado de raízes finas sobre o crescimento vegetativo do feijão-caupi, em comparação a inoculação comercial, adubação com ureia e suas combinações. O delineamento usado foi inteiramente ao acaso com quatro repetições e os seguintes tratamentos: T1- Testemunha (sem inoculação e adubação nitrogenada); T2- Inóculo com raízes; T3- Inóculo comercial; T4- Inóculo com raízes + adubação nitrogenada em cobertura; T5- Inóculo comercial + adubação nitrogenada em cobertura e T6- Adubação nitrogenada em cobertura. O tratamento inóculo com raízes + adubação nitrogenada em cobertura (T4) proporcionou maior comprimento radicular (57,25 cm) comparado ao tratamento com adubação nitrogenada em cobertura (T6) com42,00 cm. Para o número de nódulos aos 48 DAE, verificou-se que a inoculação com raízes (T2) foi superior a testemunha (T1) e a adubação nitrogenada em cobertura (T6). Os menores valores para o índice SPAD ocorreram na testemunha (40,25 g kg-1) e na adubação com ureia em cobertura (40,55 g kg-1). O tratamento com adubação nitrogenada em cobertura (20 kg ha-1 de ureia) implicou em menor crescimento da raiz e da parte aérea, número de nódulos, massa seca da parte da planta e índice SPAD. O uso da inoculação com raízes é uma alternativa viável para o agricultor familiar e produtores de base agroecológica, porém precisa ser avaliada em campo.

Among the tests available for seed vigor assessment, the primary root emergence (RE) test has gained prominence as a provider of valuable information regarding the seed performance of different species on account of its efficiency, sensitivity and rapidity. Furthermore, the use of computational resources to identify the RE can be very useful for refining the information provided. This research study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of RE, compared to recommended tests assessing the seed vigor of soybean seeds, and verify whether specific parameters, as measured by the ImageJ® software to identify RE, are effective in estimating soybean seed vigor. Nine seed lots with similar germination but differences in vigor were used. Germination and vigor (germination first count, electrical conductivity, accelerated aging, tetrazolium, RE, and field seedling emergence tests were performed); RE was evaluated after germination under four temperature/period combinations. After the RE test, seedling images were captured and analyzed by ImageJ® software and data from the perimeter, area, circularity, aspect ratio, roundness, and solidity were obtained. Information provided by the RE test was similar to those from the accepted vigor tests, indicating the possibility of including this test in soybean seed quality control programs. Parameter circularity, aspect ratio, roundness and solidity provided consistent data for detecting the RE from soybean seeds germinated at 30 °C for 24 h, with a primary root length of at least 1.0 mm. These parameters provide a rapid and objective evaluation of soybean seed vigor.