Seed vigor and amount of soybean straw on seedling emergence and productive performance of wheat

The use of high-quality seeds is essential to minimize the possible suppressive effect of straw on seedling emergence, contributing to stand establishment and high grain yield. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of seed vigor associated with soil cover with different amounts of soybean straw on seedling emergence and productive performance of wheat. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using two wheat cultivars (CD 150 and BRS Gralha Azul) under a completely randomized design in a 2 × 5 factorial scheme with four replications. Factors consisted of two seed vigor levels (high and low) and five amounts of soybean straw (0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 t ha?1). The following assessments were performed: seedling emergence, dry mass of seedling shoot, number of tillers, plant height, yield components (number of spikes per plant, number of grains per spike, and mass of one thousand seeds), grain yield, and harvest index. The use of high vigor seeds favors the emergence and dry mass production of seedling shoot for both cultivars. The increased amount of soybean straw reduces seedling emergence in both cultivars. In the cultivars CD 150 and BRS Gralha Azul, the amounts of soybean straw of 2.45 and 5.40 t ha?1, respectively, result in a higher wheat grain yield.