Seeds of seven soybean cultivars, namely OC-3, OC-4, OC-11, BR-16, BR-36, BR-37 e BR-
38 had their physiological quality evaluated, and were submitted to four periods of accelerated aging
(zero, 36, 48 and 72 hours) under 41oC and 100% RH. The seeds were sowed in plastic boxes tightly
closed and filled with 450g of Latossolo Vermelho Escuro, medium texture, with moisture adjusted,
according with the moisture retention curve, to -0,033; -0,3 e -0,6MPa. Ten seeds were placed in each
box, using five replications per treatment. Daily emergence countings were done up to eight days from
sowing. The germination was considered when the hypocotyl loop emerged on the soil surface. The
experimental design was a completely randomized in factorial arrangement. In general, the speed of
germination index (SGI) presented lower values as the time of accelerated aging treatment increased.
The cultivars OC-4 and BR-37 presented the highest values of SGI in most of the treatments. The
moisture levels didn,t affect the germination percentage of cultivars BR-37, BR-16 and OC-11 while for
the others cultivars the differences were significant.