Abstract
Maximizing the expression of seed quality traits by understanding how they are affected by environmental variables may help develop high quality nutritious soybeans. Eight specialty soybean breeding lines were grown at two Arkansas locations differing by soil texture, with three replications in 2011. Before the reproductive period, soil and leaf samples were collected from each plot. Soil samples were analyzed for particle size distribution, electrical conductivity, pH, and a set of extractable nutrients from the top 12.5 cm, while leaf samples were analyzed for the same set of nutrients as the soil samples. At maturity, seed samples were analyzed for the same set of nutrients as were leaf and soil samples, plus protein, oil, fatty acids, and sugars. All leaf elements were within the adequate levels for soybean production at both locations. Overall, seed composition of breeding lines did not differ among locations and no significant changes in breeding line ranking among locations were observed. Attempting to modify seed composition by nutrient fertilization may not be profitable, as no direct relationships were observed between leaf or soil chemical properties, and seed composition. These findings may provide a starting point for future studies on fertilization and management practices that improve soybean seed quality.
Highlights
Understanding the contribution of environmental variables to seed composition may help develop cultural and breeding strategies to produce high quality soybeans, especially due to the increasing global need of more nutritious food
The clay content was significantly greater at the Kibler site, whereas the sand content was significantly greater at the Fayetteville site (Table 2)
Soil electrical conductivity differed between locations, but both were below the range (>500 μmhos/cm) at which plant injury due to high soil salt concentration may be expected
Summary
Understanding the contribution of environmental variables to seed composition may help develop cultural and breeding strategies to produce high quality soybeans, especially due to the increasing global need of more nutritious food. Plant nutrient uptake is active during vegetative plant growth as soil extracted nutrients are incorporated into proteins to activate enzymes and contribute to the charge balance in the cell [1]. Nutrients can be remobilized to seeds from vegetative tissue via the phloem, and to a lesser extent, newly uptaken by the roots via the xylem, transferred to phloem, and transported to the reproductive organs [2] [3]. Factors affecting the availability of nutrients in the soil and the rate of uptake and remobilization of chemical elements by the plant have the potential to affect seed inorganic composition. Because soil extracted nutrients are essential for plant metabolic processes, those factors have the potential to significantly affect the organic composition of the seed [8]
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