A survey of the germination performance of some South African soya bean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill.] cultivars, produced at different localities, was conducted. Seeds were harvested from two early-maturing (Columbus and Crawford), two intermediate-maturing (Prima and Highveld Top), and two late-maturing cultivars (Ibis and Impala), from seven sites. The standard germination test was performed on all 42 seed lots. Germination performance was not linked to any particular maturity type or cultivar, but locality had a distinct effect. Germination of seeds of some seed lots harvested at Groblersdal and Potchefstroom was reduced, primarily due to the effect of seed-borne pathogens, which resulted in relatively large numbers of dead seeds. At Piet Retief, poor germination performance was inversely related to the large number of abnormal seedlings in the standard germination test, which was due to damaged seed coats. There were highly significant correlations between the number of dead seeds and the incidence of fungal infection, and between the number of abnormal seedlings and seedcoat damage. The predominant seed-borne pathogen was identified as Fusarium equiseti, a fungus not previously reported as being present in South African soya bean seed.Saadontkieming van verskeie Suid-Afrikaanse sojaboon [Glycine max(L.) Merrill.]-kultivars, wat in verskillende lokaliteite geproduseer is, is ondersoek. Saad van twee kortseisoen-kultivars (Columbus en Crawford), twee langseisoen-kultivars (Ibis en Impala) en twee intermediere tipes (Prima en Highveld Top) is op sewe lokaliteite geoes. Die standaardontkiemingstoets is op al42 saadlotte uitgevoer. Ontkiemingsprestasie het nie met groeiperiodetipe of kultivar verband gehou nie, maar daar was 'n duidelike invloed van lokaliteit. Ontkieming van sommige van die saadlotte wat op Groblersdal en Potchefstroom geoes is, is verlaag, hoofsaaklik as gevolg van die invloed van saadgedraagde patogene wat tot relatiewe hoe getalle dooie sade gelei het. Swak prestasie van saad afkomstig van Piet Retief was te wyte aan 'n hoe persentasie abnormale saailinge in die ontkiemingstoets wat die gevolg van beskadigde saadhuide was. Hoogs betekenisvolle korrelasies is gevind tussen die aantal dooie sade en die voorkoms van swaminfeksie, asook tussen die aantal abnormale saailinge en saadhuidskade. Die algemeenste saadgedraagde patogeen was Fusarium equiseti. Hierdie fungus is nog nie voorheen as 'n patogeen van Suid-Afrikaanse sojaboonsaad gerapporteer nie.