Soybeans influence crop yields even before planting. In the 2025/26 harvest, Brazil cultivated 48.6 million hectares and produced 180.5 million metric tons of soybeans, with an average yield of 3,712 kg per hectare, according to the Conab.
Performance begins with selecting high-quality seed and a cultivar suited to the region and the planting window. In this guide, you’ll learn about the available types, how to evaluate germination and vigor, the importance of certified seed, and the factors that influence price.
What determines the quality of soybeans?
The quality of a seed lot depends on four attributes: genetic, physical, physiological, and health-related. These attributes help determine the performance of the seed from the time of sowing.
Genetic quality confirms the identity of the cultivar, its varietal purity, and, where applicable, the declared biotechnological event.
Physical quality refers to impurities, seeds from other species, and broken material. These elements can interfere with distribution during sowing.
Physiological quality is linked to germination capacity and performance during emergence, especially under less favorable conditions.
Sanitary quality, on the other hand, takes into account the pathogens carried by the material. Fungi such as Diaporthe spp. and Cercospora kikuchii can reach the crop via the seeds.
The four attributes must be evaluated together. A good germination rate, for example, does not rule out potential health problems.
Before making a purchase, request the batch analysis report. This document provides important information, such as germination rate, physical purity, and identification of the material.
What are the different types of soybeans?
The main materials available on the market differ in terms of genetic characteristics and technology. The choice depends on the production system, management practices, and the target market.
Conventional seeds
Conventional seeds do not contain genetically modified traits and are used, among other things, to meet the demand of markets that require non-GMO production.
The adoption of this material requires planning for handling and segregation, as well as an analysis of the buyer’s commercial requirements.
Transgenic seeds
Genetically modified seeds contain biotechnological traits that confer specific characteristics, such as tolerance to certain herbicides or protection against insects.
RR soybeans are tolerant to glyphosate. Intacta RR2 PRO combines this trait with protection against major crop-damaging caterpillars.
Intacta2 Xtend provides tolerance to dicamba and enhances protection against caterpillars. Enlist E3 combines tolerance to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate.
The technology must meet the actual needs of the sector. The handling, the level of technology, and the grain’s target market must also be taken into account.
Hybrid seeds
Hybrids result from the controlled crossbreeding of genetically distinct materials to combine desirable traits.
In soybeans, this technology is still used only to a limited extent compared to conventional and genetically modified cultivars that are marketed on a large scale.
How to evaluate soybean seed germination and vigor?
Germination and vigor assess different aspects of physiological quality. Understanding this difference helps growers compare lots more accurately.
Germination refers to the percentage of seeds that develop into normal seedlings under controlled laboratory conditions.
For categories C1, C2, S1, and S2, the minimum germination standard is 80%. For the basic category, the established minimum is 75%.
Vigor refers to the ability to emerge quickly and uniformly, especially when field conditions are less than ideal.
Cold soil, water deficit, soil compaction, and excess mulch are conditions under which differences in vigor can become more evident.
In Brazil, there is no mandatory legal standard for shelf life. Therefore, this indicator should be analyzed in conjunction with the other information for the lot.
In practice, two lots with an 85% germination rate may perform very differently in the field if one has a vigor of 80% and the other 60%.
The tetrazolium test also aids in this assessment. It can identify mechanical damage, moisture-related deterioration, and damage caused by bed bugs.
Certified, saved, and pirated seeds: What changes in the field?
The three categories of soybeans are sold in the same market, and the difference between them does not lie in the appearance of the beans. It lies in the traceability of the batch.
Certified seed comes from fields inspected by an accredited technical officer during the flowering and pre-harvest phases, and the producer must have an active registration with Renasem.
It is delivered to the buyer with an invoice and a seed certificate issued by the certifying body. The uncertified categories, S1 and S2, are distributed with a statement of compliance issued by the technical supervisor.
In both cases, the lot meets the germination and physical purity standards set forth in Annex XXIII of IN MAPA 45/2013, and its genetic origin is declared.
Saved seed is the seed that a producer sets aside from his or her own harvest to plant in the next growing season, on land owned or possessed by the producer, in accordance with the conditions established for personal use.
The quantity must be appropriate for the area to be planted. This material may not be sold as seed.
Growers also need to monitor seed quality. Germination, vigor, disease resistance, and varietal identity remain critical to crop establishment.
Pirated seed is seed that circulates outside any official registry and almost always contains undeclared genetically modified material.
The risk here is twofold. It is agronomic, because there is no pathogen control or varietal guarantee.
And financially, because transgenic testing at grain reception can identify undeclared technology and trigger the collection of the technology fee.
How do you choose the right cultivar for your region?
The choice of soybean seed cultivar has a greater impact on the outcome than any other input, and it is the decision that leaves the least room for correction once it has been made.
The choice of cultivar should take into account the region, latitude, planting season, the area’s history, and the characteristics of the production system.
One of the first criteria is the relative maturity group, or RMG. It helps determine the appropriate cultivar based on the region and the planting window.
The GMR does not simply represent the number of days in the cycle. The behavior of the same cultivar may vary from region to region due to its response to photoperiod.
In the Cerrado, early-maturing varieties may facilitate the establishment of a second crop. In the South, latitude and photoperiod affect the behavior of the cultivars.
Results obtained in the region itself are important factors to consider when making a choice. A high-performing cultivar in another environment may not yield the same results.
It is also important to consider the type of growth. There are determinate, indeterminate, and semideterminate cultivars. This affects how the crop responds to a late summer heat wave and directly influences the determination of plant density per hectare.
Stature, resistance to lodging, and health profile round out the evaluation. Resistance to diseases and nematodes varies among the available varieties.
How does soybean seed treatment work?
The treatment protects the seeds during the period between sowing and the initial establishment of the plants.
The process may involve fungicides, insecticides, biological products, and nutritional supplements, depending on the characteristics of the crop and the conditions of the area.
The treatment can be carried out industrially or directly on the farm, a method known as TS On Farm.
In industrial processing, specialized equipment makes it possible to control the application and achieve greater uniformity in the distribution of products.
Among the main objectives are initial protection against pests and diseases and the reduction of application-related failures.
Uniform coverage and dose accuracy are key factors in treatment quality.
When defining the strategy, one must consider the history of pests and diseases, crop rotation, soil conditions, and the sanitary quality of the plot.
Treated Seed: Convenience and Storage Guidelines
The treated seed arrives at the farm with the products already applied, which reduces the number of operational steps required prior to planting.
When the process is carried out using specific equipment, it is possible to achieve greater consistency in application across seeds and batches.
After processing, storage and transportation require careful attention. Inappropriate temperature and humidity levels can compromise physiological quality.
It is also important to check the treatment date and follow the technical recommendations for the products used.
What factors influence the price of soybeans?
The price of soybean seed varies depending on the cultivar, the technology incorporated, the treatment, the region, availability, and commercial conditions.
Materials involving biotechnology may include fees related to licensed technologies, which affect the final price.
The treatment used also affects the cost, especially when it involves different chemical, biological, or nutritional products.
Freight costs, regional supply, and demand all contribute to the price paid to the producer.
The price per bag should not be considered in isolation. The quality of the batch, regional suitability, and expected performance are also factors in the cost-benefit analysis.
Germination and vigor can also affect the amount needed to achieve the target plant population per hectare.
What should you check before buying soybeans?
The decision regarding soybean seed is made months before harvest, and once the seeds are sown, there’s no turning back. It’s worth treating this decision with the same care as when purchasing a machine.
Before finalizing the order, there are a few points to consider that can help reduce risks and make comparing batches more objective:
- Check out the batch analysis report;
- check for germination and, when available, vigor;
- Check the certificate or statement of compliance;
- Confirm the variety, lot, and maturity group;
- evaluate the results achieved in your region;
- check the biotechnology event, if any;
- Check the treatment performed and its date.
If you are unsure whether to treat the material on-site or purchase industrially treated material, consider your ability to apply the planned dose uniformly.
Laborsan develops technologies for industrial seed treatment, with a focus on the quality of application and the performance of the seed until planting.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Soybeans
How many kilograms of soybeans are needed per hectare?
The calculation is: seeds per hectare multiplied by the weight of 1,000 seeds in grams, divided by 1,000,000. With a plant population of 250,000 to 350,000 plants per hectare and a thousand-seed weight between 150 and 180 grams, the result ranges from 38 to 63 kilograms per hectare, before adjusting for the lot’s germination rate. Embrapa notes that between 150,000 and 450,000 plants per hectare, yield varies little due to soybean’s adaptability. Always base your calculations on the report for the batch you purchased.
What is the difference between soybean seed germination and vigor?
Germination indicates how many seeds develop into normal seedlings under ideal laboratory conditions. Vigor assesses the ability to emerge quickly and uniformly, even under less favorable conditions. Therefore, two lots with the same germination percentage may perform differently in the field.
What are the main types of soybeans?
The market primarily uses conventional and genetically modified cultivars. Genetically modified cultivars may incorporate different biotechnological events, while conventional cultivars do not have these modifications. Technologies involving soybean hybrids also exist, but their use remains limited compared to materials used commercially on a large scale.
How much does a bag of soybeans cost?
The price varies depending on the cultivar, biotechnology feature, treatment applied, region, and market conditions. Therefore, a comparison should take into account more than just the price per bag. Germination, vigor, regional adaptability, and agronomic characteristics also influence the actual cost of establishing the crop.
Can I use seeds from my own harvest?
The law allows farmers to set aside material from their own harvest for personal use in the following growing season, provided that legal requirements are met. The quantity must be commensurate with the area to be planted. This material may not be sold as seed and must undergo quality control.
How can you tell if a soybean seed is certified?
Check the documentation that comes with the lot. Categories C1 and C2 have a seed certificate, while S1 and S2 use a certificate of conformity. You should also verify the producer’s or dealer’s Renasem number, the invoice, the cultivar, the lot, the crop year, and the analysis report.
