Abstract: The variable distribution of soybean seeds in rows can reduce the final stand and compromise grain yield. This article assesses the impact of seed distribution on the morphological characteristics of some plants and on the final yield of soybeans. The study was carried out in the experimental area of the federal university of santa maria, frederico westphalen campus, in the state of rio grande do sul, brazil, in a randomized block design with five treatments and four repetitions. The size of the spacing between plants in the line constituted the variation factor and spaces of 0 (without space); 7.7; 15.4; 30.8 and 61.4 cm were evaluated. The evaluated parameters were plant height; main stem diameter; number of lateral branches; fruit per plant; insertion height of the first legume; number of viable nodes in the main trunk; number of viable nodes in the lateral branches and final grain yield. The spacing between plants in the rows increases the number of side branches, the number of nodes in the side branches and the number of fruits per plant, and spacing of up to 61.6 cm does not compromise the final soybean productivity.

Keywords: Glycine max L, plant distribution, plant parameters and final grain yield.