Abstract
A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of P and Fe application on the biomass production and nutrients partitioning of two soybeans (Glycine max. L. Merr) cultivars grown in carbonated chernoziom (low in Fe and P) under water stress conditions. P and Fe were applied at two levels (0 and 100 mg P kg-1 soil; 0 and 5 mg Fe kg-1 soil). Control plants were grown at 70% water holding capacity (WHC) while their counterparts were subjected to 35% WHC water stress at initial flowering stage for two weeks. Considerable variability was observed in leaves, roots dry mass accumulation and nodulation among the soybean cultivars (Zodiac, Licurici) at both P and Fe levels in relation to water regimes. The results showed that drought significantly reduced biomass production irrespective of nutrient supply and its adverse effect was more pronounced at low nutrient supply. Leaf development and nodules growth were the most sensitive to water deficit and insufficient nutrient supply. Adequate P and Fe supply increased dry matter production and nutrient concentrations for soybean cultivars. Phosphorus concentration in plant parts was significantly higher at nil Fe compared with Fe application. Phosphorus application decreased Fe allocation to the leaves. The experimental results demonstrated that there was a positive effect of P and Fe adequate nutrition on P use efficiency. Hence, the sufficient phosphorus and iron supply maintained growth at high level, improved P and Fe status and partially alleviated drought effect on soybean plants.
Highlights
Plant growth and nutrients distribution in plant parts are influenced by many environmental factors
At the onset of flower buds the two soil moisture treatments were performed by maintaining pots at normal level of moisture and other set of plants was subjected to 35% water holding capacity (WHC) as water stress for 2 weeks
The lowest biomass production was registered in treatments with both nutrients deficiency
Summary
Plant growth and nutrients distribution in plant parts are influenced by many environmental factors. Among these water stress and inadequate mineral nutrition are the major constraints affecting plant nutrition and productivity [1, 2]. Phosphorus (P) and iron (Fe) deficiencies are widespread nutritional constraints in crops production [3], especially in legumes [4]. Phosphorus deficiency affects a large range of physiological processes namely the nodulation and N2 fixation, and nutrient uptake [5, 6]. In plants referring to N2 fixation, P stimulates nodulation and nitrogen fixation more than plant growth [7, 8]. A sufficient P supply increases the wholeplant nitrogen (N) and P concentrations and growth in many legumes species, especially soybean [9]
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