The physiological quality and variability of 16 genotypes of soybean seeds were studied with seeds from the lines evaluation trials of the Federal University of Viçosa-MG, cultivated in different locations and altitudes: Conquista (658m), Coromandel (820m), Uberlândia (889m), Presidente Olegário (960m) and São Gotardo (1.100m) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The experiments were conducted in a randomized block design with three replication. Germination and seedlings were observed in a ?berth? of sand and under field conditions. The quality of seeds varied with location and altitude. The seeds produced at Presidente Olegário, Uberlândia and Coromandel, with mild temperature, had better physiological quality than those produced in Conquista, with high temperature and humidity. In São Gotardo the best genotypes were UFV-I, Doko, UFV 80-84 and UFV 79-56 and in Conquista, where the condition was unfavourable to production seeds with good quality, Uberaba, Rio Doce, Doko, UFV 80-96 and Cristalina genotypes were the best.