2.6. Seed growth rate and effective seed filling period
Pods and seed samples were collected fromthe same plants used
for ABA quantification every 10 d during the linear growth phase.
Three seeded pods from middle node positions were collected to
minimize bias from position of the seed in the pod. After the sample
collection, seed fresh mass was determined and seed volume
was estimated by a water displacement method. Seeds were dried
at approximately 70 ◦C for 24 h and seed moisture content was calculated.
Linear regression was used to estimate seed growth rates
(SGR) for each treatment, after eliminating non-linear points from
the initial and final stages of seed development. At maturity, plants
were sampled to determine final seed size. The effective filling
period (EFP) was estimated by dividing final seed size by the seed
growth rate during the linear filling period.