Soybean Components Research Articles

Effect of row spacing, seeding rate and nitrogen fertilization on yield and yield components of soybean

Summary Soybean crop management have not been studied much in Central Europe as compared with cereals. We assessed the effect of variety, row spacing, seeding rate and nitrogen (N) fertilization on yields and yield components of soybean in a two-year experiment in Gleisdorf, Austria. The varieties Lenka, Naya and Xonia were tested in row spacings of 13 cm, 38 cm and 76 cm with 30 germinable seeds m−2. Additionally, 60 seeds m−2 were tested at 13 cm row spacing, and 38 cm row spacing was additionally established with N fertilization. Faster soil coverage was obtained with a high seeding rate or narrower row spacings. First pod height differed between varieties and increased with higher seeding rate. Grain yield was not affected by treatments but yield components differed. The widest row spacing resulted in a lower plant density but more pods plant−1, grains plant−1, grains pod−1 (in one year) and a higher thousand kernel weight (TKW). The higher seeding rate resulted in a higher plant density but less pods plant−1 whereas grains pod−1 and TKW did not differ. N fertilization did not affect the grain yield. Correlation analysis showed a high adaptability of soybean to different seeding rates and row spacings through modulation of yield components.

Growth and production of soybean in response to spatial arrangement in savannah climate

The management of spatial arrangement in soybean culture (Glycine max L., Merrill) from seeding density and row spacing is an important tool that contributes to yield growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of spatial arrangement in the development and the production components of soybean in the Piauí Cerrado savanna. The experimental design was completely randomized, with subdivided plots and four replicates. The main plots consisted of different row spacing (17.5 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm and 76 cm) and subplots consisted of plant populations as follows: recommended (280,000 plant/ha); 50% below recommended; 50% and 100% higher than recommended. The subdivided plots had six lines of five metres in length. The highest growth component values (plant height, stem diameter and number of nodes) were observed in the larger spacing (50 cm and 76 cm) and lower populations (recommended and 50% below recommended). The highest component yield values (number of grains per pod, number of grains per plant, number of pods per plant, weight of one thousand seeds and productivity) were observed in the larger spacing (50 cm and 76 cm) and in the recommended population for the cultivar.

Comprehensive mapping of abiotic stress inputs into the soybean circadian clock

The plant circadian clock evolved to increase fitness by synchronizing physiological processes with environmental oscillations. Crop fitness was artificially selected through domestication and breeding, and the circadian clock was identified by both natural and artificial selections as a key to improved fitness. Despite progress in Arabidopsis, our understanding of the crop circadian clock is still limited, impeding its rational improvement for enhanced fitness. To unveil the interactions between the crop circadian clock and various environmental cues, we comprehensively mapped abiotic stress inputs to the soybean circadian clock using a 2-module discovery pipeline. Using the "molecular timetable" method, we computationally surveyed publicly available abiotic stress-related soybean transcriptomes to identify stresses that have strong impacts on the global rhythm. These findings were then experimentally confirmed using a multiplexed RNA sequencing technology. Specific clock components modulated by each stress were further identified. This comprehensive mapping uncovered inputs to the plant circadian clock such as alkaline stress. Moreover, short-term iron deficiency targeted different clock components in soybean and Arabidopsis and thus had opposite effects on the clocks of these 2 species. Comparing soybean varieties with different iron uptake efficiencies suggests that phase modulation might be a mechanism to alleviate iron deficiency symptoms in soybean. These unique responses in soybean demonstrate the need to directly study crop circadian clocks. Our discovery pipeline may serve as a broadly applicable tool to facilitate these explorations.

Effects of long-term soaking on nutraceutical and taste characteristic components in Thai soybeans

Changes in nutraceutical and palatable components of Thai soybean (Chiang-Mai 60, CM60) and black soybean (Sukhothai 3, SK3) were investigated during long-term soaking at 35 °C for 48 h. Isoflavone, saponin, free sugar, free amino acid including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and folate, and also antioxidant capacity (H-ORAC) were evaluated. Isoflavone composition in CM60, malonylglycoside and glucoside were degraded to their aglycone forms while components in SK3 did not change greatly during long-term soaking. Total amount of soybean saponins including DDMP-saponins and group B saponins (group B) did not change significantly but the ratio of DDMP-saponins and group B changed; DDMP-saponins decreased while group B increased with soaking longer than 24 h. The soaking process decreased the contents of free sugars; sucrose, stachyose, and raffinose. Total amount of free amino acids in CM60 showed a decreasing tendency especially for amino acid groups showing undesirable bitter taste characteristics after 48 h soaking. GABA increased after 12 h soaking in both samples. Folate content increased up to 12 h soaking but then reduced to the original amount or lower with long-term soaking. Antioxidative activities of SK3 decreased after 24 h soaking. Results showed that long-term soaking affected the amounts of isoflavones, group B saponins, GABA, stachyose, raffinose and folate.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) triacylglycerol lipase GmSDP1 regulates the quality and quantity of seed oil

Seeds of soybean (Glycine max L.) are a major source of plant-derived oils. In the past, improvements have been made in the quantity and quality of seed oil. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the principal components of soybean seed oil, and understanding the metabolic regulation of TAGs in soybean seeds is essential. Here, we identified four soybean genes encoding TAG lipases, designated as SUGAR DEPENDENT1-1 (GmSDP1-1), GmSDP1-2, GmSDP1-3 and GmSDP1-4; these are homologous to Arabidopsis thaliana SDP1 (AtSDP1). To characterize the function of these genes during grain filling, transgenic lines of soybean were generated via RNA interference to knockdown the expression of all four GmSDP1 genes. The seed oil content of the transgenic soybean lines was significantly increased compared with the wild type (WT). Additionally, fatty acid profiles of the WT and transgenic soybean lines were altered; the content of linoleic acid, a major fatty acid in soybean seeds, was significantly reduced, whereas that of oleic acid was increased in transgenic soybean seeds compared with the WT. Substrate specificity experiments showed that TAG lipase preferentially cleaved oleic acid than linoleic acid in the oil body membrane in WT soybean. This study demonstrates that the GmSDP1 proteins regulate both the TAG content and fatty acid composition of soybean seeds during grain filling. These results provide a novel strategy for improving both the quantity and quality of soybean seed oil.

Genome analysis to identify SNPs associated with oil content and fatty acid components in soybean

The nutritional value, flavor and stability of soybean oil are determined by its five dominant fatty acids: saturated palmitic and stearic, monounsaturated oleic, and polyunsaturated linoleic and linolenic acids. Identifying molecular markers or quantitative trait loci associated with these components has the potential to facilitate the development of improved varieties and thus improve soybean oil content and quality. In this study, we used the BARCSoySNP6K BeadChip array to conduct a genome analysis of diverse soybean accessions evaluated for 2 years under Brazilian field conditions. The results demonstrated high broad-sense heritability, suggesting that the soybean genotype panel could be useful for oil trait breeding programs. Moreover, the range of oil trait variation among the plant introductions (PIs) was superior to that among the Brazilian cultivars in this study, indicating that a PI population could be used to find genes controlling these traits. The genome analysis showed that the genetic structure of the soybean germplasm comprised two main genetic groups, and it revealed linkage disequilibrium decay of approximately 300 kb. A total of 19 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci on ten different chromosomes significantly associated with palmitic acid, oleic acid and total oil contents were discovered. Analysis of the SNP annotations revealed enzymes associated with several oil-related physiological metabolisms. Loci and specific alleles in our soybean panel that contributed to lower palmitic acid contents and higher oleic acid and total oil contents were identified. Overall, this genome analysis confirmed previous findings and identified SNP markers that may be useful to rapidly improve oil traits in soybean.

Soybean growth and yield responses at third planting season to residual potassium fertilizer in a vertisol

Application of fertilizers on previous crops can leave a residue so that it can be used for the next crops. It is necessary to know the extent to which these residues can affect the growth and yield of soybean crops. The objective of this study was to explore the effect of potassium fertilizer residues on growth and yield of soybean crops at third planting season (PS-III) on a vertisol. The research was conducted at dry season using a vertisol from Nganjuk, East Java. The experiment was designed using a factorial randomized block design with two factors and three replications. The first factor was the dose of potassium fertilizer (KCl) in the first planting season (PS-I) of rice, i.e. 0, 500, 1500, and 2000 kg potassium fertilizer/ha. The second factor was the dose of potassium fertilizer in the second planting season (PS-II) of soybean, i.e. 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg potassium fertilizer (KCl)/ha. The soybean variety used was Sinabung. The results showed that fertilizer residues of planting season I and planting season II affected the growth component and yield component of soybean, but did not affect seed yield of soybean. There was no consistent increase on growth component, yield component, or seed yield of soybean with an increasing residual dose of potassium fertilizer of planting season I or planting season II. The residual treatment of 1500 kg potassium/ha at planting season I gave the highest number of branches per plant (2 branches) and seed weight per plant (3.13 g) of soybean. The residual treatment of 50 kg potassium/ha at planting season II gave the highest root nodule weight per plant of 0.10 g and the highest seed weight per plant of 3.33 g.

Compositional analysis of genetically modified soybeans placed on Taiwan market

Soybean is an important protein source for consumers in Taiwan. Soybean production in Taiwan is not self-sufficient. Taiwan imports 2.5 million tons of soybeans annually. More than 90% of the imported soybeans are genetically modified (GM). To provide an objective assessment on safety of GM soybean and for post-market monitoring, we conducted a comparative assessment on key component compositions between imported GM soybean and local non-GM soybean from Taiwan. All the soybean samples were purchased from the local market to simulate the status of Taiwanese consumers in purchasing soybeans. The GM soybean samples were herbicide-tolerant soybeans. The content of the proximate, the amino acid composition, the fatty acid composition, vitamins, minerals, antinutritional factors, and isoflavones of soybean samples were analyzed. Most contents of the key components of the GM soybean had no significant difference with those of the non-GM soybean. However, the contents of ash, crude protein, amino acids, myristic acid, behenic acid, phosphorus, iron and phytic acid were significantly lower in the GM soybean samples, and the contents of crude fat, margaric acid, and stearic acid were significantly higher in the GM soybean samples. But they were all within the range of reference values. A total of 314 pesticide residues in each of the samples were analyzed. Glyphosate residue was detected only in GM soybean samples, but it is well below the threshold prescribed by the government. In summary, the GM soybean samples purchased from Taiwan market were shown to be substantially equivalent to non-GM soybeans.

Doses and potassium partitioning methods in soybean production components in an Amazonian savanna

After nitrogen, potassium is the macronutrient most required by soybean. To meet soy bean growth
 demands, it is necessary to use high K doses, which can lead to losses via leaching. The objective of the
 current study was to evaluate the effect of doses and methods of K fertilization on the components of soybean
 production, in the Yellow Latosol of an Amazonian savanna. The experiment was conducted using randomized
 complete block design with four replicates. Plots consisted of two fertilization methods (M1 – fertilization on
 planting and at 35 days after emergence - DAE and M2 – on planting, then divided between 20 and 35 DAE).
 Subplots where five doses of potassium (K2O at 0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1) were randomized. Measured
 variables were: plant stand (PS), plant height (PH), height of first pod insertion (FP), number of pods per
 plant (PP), bean mass per plant (BM), and bean yield (BY). Because of the low exchangeable K content and
 medium texture of the study soil, deployed methodology consisting of plant fertilization and two applications
 to facilitate high soybean yields. Agronomic efficiency proved to be a good indicator for assaying the best K2O
 dose, as it is sensitive to initial soil exchangeable K levels. The dose giving maximum agronomic efficiency
 was 88.5 kg ha-1 of K2O, converting each kg of K2O in 14.3 kg of soybeans.

Does biochar mitigate the adverse effects of drought on the agronomic traits and yield components of soybean?

Drought and low amounts of organic matter are two main constraints when considering agriculture in arid and semiarid regions. The two constraints and their adverse effects on soils and plants may be alleviated by biochar (B). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of 0 (0B), 1.25 (1.25B), 2.5 (2.5B) and 5% wt (5B) cattle-manure biochar on the agronomic and physiological traits of soybean under field capacity (FC), 0.7FC and 0.55FC conditions. Drought was observed to reduce water use efficiency (WUE), leaf area, stomatal conductance (SC), harvest index (only for 0.55FC), straw fresh matter yield (SFMY), straw dry matter yield (SDMY), pod yield, grain yield, pod lenght, and plant height by nearly 15–16%, 23–36%, 23–47%, 11–12%, 42–64%, 36–52%, 44–65%, 41–64%, 5–11%, and 33–60%, respectively as compared with those of control (FC conditions), whereas drought increased the greenness index (GI) of soybean leaves by 11–20% compared with control. In general, drought decreased all traits of studied soybean variety. However, pod yield, grain number, SFMY and plant height were more negatively influenced. The most unfavorable effect of drought on SC was observed at the late reproductive stage (90 days after planting, DAP); whereas, drought effects on leaf area were similar at different growth stages. Harvest index (HI) and WUE was the lowest at severe drought (0.55FC) and there was no significant difference between these traits at non-drought (FC) and moderate drought (0.7FC) conditions. Therefore, keeping soil moisture to near 0.7FC not only did not change the WUE and HI, but also reduces water consumption. All B treatments increased the leaf area (at the beginning, 60 DAP and middle reproductive stages, 75 DAP), GI and SC by 6–36%, 11–20%, and 46–80%, respectively. The application of 1.25B increased WUE, SFMY, SDMY, the pod length and plant height by 26%, 35%, 27%, 5%, and 16%, respectively, whereas higher percentages of B were ineffective, i.e. 2.5B did not significantly affect the WUE, SDMY and pod length and 5B reduced the values of the grain and pod yield and 1000-grain weight. Low level of biochar (1.25B) had positive influences on almost all traits; whereas, higher levels (2.5B and 5B) due to the excessive salinity not only had no positive effects but also adversely influenced almost all traits. Furthermore, positive effects of the effective biochar treatment (1.25B) on almost all traits were most pronounced at the moderate or severe drought conditions compared with non-drought conditions. In conclusion, high levels of B due to salinity related negative influences on plant cannot be suggested. While, application of 1.25B due to mitigating the adverse effects of drought and consequently increasing WUE, the growth and yield components of soybean may be recommended.

Co‐inoculation with Bradyrhizobium and Azospirillum Increases Yield and Quality of Soybean Seeds

The use of microorganisms is a very recurrent reality in agriculture. Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense benefits the development of plants. There was an increase in the yield components of soybean. Microorganisms are widely used in agriculture. Among them, the bacterial genus Bradyrhizobium is commonly found in cultivated soils, forming symbiotic relationships with legume species. This work aimed to evaluate whether co‐inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Azospirillum brasilense influences the components of production, yield, and physiological quality of soybean seeds. The experiment was conducted in three consecutive crop seasons (from 2014–2015 to 2016–2017), in the municipality of Chapadão do Sul, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design, with seven treatments and four replications, using the following treatments: T1, control (without inoculation); T2, inoculation with B. japonicum (150 mL); T3, inoculation with A. brasilense (150 mL); T4, co‐inoculation with B. japonicum + A. brasilense (75 mL + 75 mL); T5, co‐inoculation with B. japonicum + A. brasilense (150 mL + 150 mL); T6, co‐inoculation with B. japonicum + A. brasilense (225 mL+ 225 mL); and T7, co‐inoculation with B. japonicum + A. brasilense (300 mL+ 300 mL). Each treatment (dose) was applied to 50 kg of soybean seeds. The study evaluated the agronomic variables number of nodules per plant, dry shoot biomass per plant, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, mass of 100 seeds, and grain yield; and the seed quality variables first germination count, germination, emergence, emergence speed index, electric conductivity, accelerated aging, and tetrazolium. The co‐inoculation of soybean seeds with B. japonicum and A. brasilense benefits the development of plants, increasing yield components, grain yield, and seed quality. The most efficient level was 225 mL of each inoculant for 50 kg of seed.

Genome-wide analysis of genes encoding core components of the ubiquitin system in soybean (Glycine max) reveals a potential role for ubiquitination in host immunity against soybean cyst nematode

BackgroundUbiquitination is a major post-translational protein modification that regulates essentially all cellular and physiological pathways in eukaryotes. The ubiquitination process typically involves three distinct classes of enzymes, ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) and ubiquitin ligase (E3). To date, a comprehensive identification and analysis of core components comprising of the whole soybean (Glycine max) ubiquitin system (UBS) has not been reported.ResultsWe performed a systematic, genome-wide analysis of genes that encode core members of the soybean UBS in this study. A total of 1431 genes were identified with high confidence to encode putative soybean UBS components, including 4 genes encoding E1s, 71 genes that encode the E2s, and 1356 genes encoding the E3-related components. Among the E3-encoding genes, 760 encode RING-type E3s, 124 encode U-box domain-containing E3s, and 472 encode F-box proteins. To find out whether the identified soybean UBS genes encode active enzymes, a set of genes were randomly selected and the enzymatic activities of their recombinant proteins were tested. Thioester assays indicated proteins encoded by the soybean E1 gene GmUBA1 and the majority of selected E2 genes are active E1 or E2 enzymes, respectively. Meanwhile, most of the purified RING and U-box domain-containing proteins displayed E3 activity in the in vitro ubiquitination assay. In addition, 1034 of the identified soybean UBS genes were found to express in at least one of 14 soybean tissues examined and the transcript level of 338 soybean USB genes were significantly changed after abiotic or biotic (Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizobium strains) stress treatment. Finally, the expression level of a large number of the identified soybean UBS-related genes was found significantly altered after soybean cyst nematode (SCN) treatment, suggesting the soybean UBS potentially plays an important role in soybean immunity against SCN.ConclusionsOur findings indicate the presence of a large and diverse number of core UBS proteins in the soybean genome, which suggests that target-specific modification by ubiquitin is a complex and important part of cellular and physiological regulation in soybean. We also revealed certain members of the soybean UBS may be involved in immunity against soybean cyst nematode (SCN). This study sets up an essential foundation for further functional characterization of the soybean UBS in various physiological processes, such as host immunity against SCN.

Yield and Quality Characteristics of Drip‐Irrigated Soybean under Different Irrigation Levels

Core Ideas Different irrigation levels affected the yield and quality components of soybean. Deficit irrigation decreased soybean protein content. Water deficit treatments caused an increase in the oil content in soybean. Soybean can be irrigated to 75% of Class A pan evaporation in semiarid conditions with limited water resources. This study was conducted to determine the effects of deficit irrigation levels on the yield and quality of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Five different irrigation applications designated as full irrigation (I100) with no water stress and slight (I75), mild (I50), severe water stress (I25) and no irrigation (I0) treatments based on the amount of evaporation measured by a Class A pan. The results showed that irrigation levels applied has statistically significant effect on yield and yield components. Water deficit stress significantly (P < 0.01) increased oil content while it decreased protein content. The highest water use obtained in I100 treatment, while the lowest was found in I0 treatment in both years. The maximum yield was obtained from under I100, I75, I50, I25 and I0 treatments as much as 4.01, 3.95, 3.57, 2.83 and 1.92 t ha−1 in 2014 and 4.11, 3.60, 3.24, 2.61 and 1.81 t ha−1 in 2015, respectively. Compared with I100, the 2‐yr average yield reduction for I0, I25, I50, and I75 were 54, 32, 17, and 8%, respectively. The water use efficiency varied from 5.2 to 8.7 kg ha−1 mm−1 in the first year and from 5.6 to 8.3 kg ha−1 mm−1 in the second year, respectively. Based on the results of this study, soybean can be irrigated as much as 100% of Class A pan evaporation in regions with no water scarcity. Under deficit irrigation conditions, as an option, soybean can be irrigated as much as 75% of pan evaporation under Western Mediterranean conditions of Turkey.

Coberturas vegetais do solo e manejo de cultivo e suas contribuições para as culturas agrícolas

The objective this work was to evaluate the agronomic performance of beans, corn and soybean cultivated under no - tillage system and conventional tillage management. The work consisted of 12 experiments, divided three agricultural crops, with the cultivation of species of vegetal cover in a consortium or in an isolated way, and later sowed the summer crops, besides the crop in conventional preparation, where the soil remained fallow during the winter period. Aerial dry mass of soil cover and yield components of beans, maize and soybean were evaluated. The turnip along with the species present in the fallow were those that demonstrated the lower production of dry mass of the aerial part. All soil cover, except turnip, did not show a decrease in bean yield components. The growth of corn crop was shown to be higher when grown in succession to vetch in isolation or in consortium with black oat or turnip. There was superiority in soybean yield as a function of the cultivation system, in at least one soil cover. It was concluded that beans did not promote reduction in yield components for conventional tillage management, but corn and soybean yielded benefits in grain yield components only when in succession the species of soil cover in the planting system conventional.

Response of Cotton and Soybean Intercropping System to Integrated Nutrient Management

Aims: Field experiment was conducted to study the integrated nutrient management on yield, all yield components and resource use efficiency of cotton and soybean intercropping system.
 Study Design: Randomized complete block design with three replications and twenty treatments.
 Place and Duration of Study: Plot number ‘101’ of ‘D’ block, All India Coordinated Research Project, Main Agricultural Research Station, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka (India) during June 2016.
 Methodology: As per the treatments, organic manure (FYM) and green leaf manures (gliricidia and pongamia) were applied 15 days before sowing of the crop. Vermicompost was applied on the spot to soil before dibbling of seeds in cotton and soybean intercropping system in 1:2 row proportions, soybean introduced as intercrop in cotton with row spacing of cotton 120 cm and soybean 30 cm.
 Results: Results revealed that all the yield components like number of bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield and cotton stalk yield in cotton and number of pods per plant, seed weight per plant, seed yield and haulm yield were higher under sole crop. Application of 150 and 125% RDF for cotton and soybean intercropping system found higher yield and yield components of cotton and soybean. However, the land equivalent ratio (LER), area time equivalent ratio (ATER) and cotton equivalent yield (CEY) were higher in intercropping system than sole crops.
 Conclusion: Application of 125% RDF for both crops was found to be agronomically feasible, economically viable, environment friendly and in sustainable approach. In addition to this it provides insurance against inter-climatic changes.

Diversity of γ- glutamyl peptides and oligosaccharides, the "kokumi" taste enhancers, in seeds from soybean mini core collections.

Soybeans (Glycine max (L,) Merr,) contain γ-glutamyl peptides and oligosaccharides, and these components play an important role in imparting the "kokumi" taste to foods. To gain insight into the genetic diversities and molecular mechanisms of accumulation of γ-glutamyl peptides and oligosaccharides in soybean, we measured the contents of these components using the Japan and World mini core collections. Similar to other previously reported traits, wide variations were detected among the accessions in the core collections with respect to the content of γ-glutamyl peptides and oligosaccharides. We found a positive relationship between the content of γ-glutamyl tyrosine and γ-glutamyl phenylalanine and between the content of raffinose and stachyose. Furthermore, there were unique accessions that included high levels of γ-glutamyl peptides and oligosaccharides. These accessions may be helpful in understanding the accumulation mechanism of γ-glutamyl peptides and oligosaccharides and to increase the "kokumi" taste components in soybean by performing a genetic analysis.

Path analysis and phenotypic correlation among yield components of soybean using environmental stratification methods

The main aim of this study was to investigate the phenotypic correlation of yield component traits using several environmental stratifications methods. We also aimed to propose cause and effect of relationships for grain yield components in soybean genotypes under several environmental conditions. The tests were conducted in the agricultural year of 2013/2014 in four growing sites in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The experimental arrangement was randomized blocks in factorial scheme (11 x 4), consisting eleven soybean genotypes in four environments with four repetitions each. All the growing environments Tapera-RS, Derrubadas-RS and Frederico Westphalen-RS were classified as favorable for soybean cultivation. The traits such as total number of pods per plant, number of branches and number of pods with 2-3 grains showed significant linear correlations with grain yield in both methods of analysis. The path analysis was applied under favorable and unfavorable environments to accurately estimate the direct and indirect effect of traits on soybean grain yield. The mass of a thousand grains and plant height were highly associated with grain yield but mostly influenced by environmental effects. The total number of pods should be prioritized for selecting superior soybean genotypes due to its direct and indirect effects on grain yield. It has shown constant in all environmental conditions. The direct effects of number of branches and number of pods (with one grain) presented distinct effects on yield in favorable and unfavorable environments.

Single-step enzyme processing of soybeans into intact oil bodies, protein bodies and hydrolyzed carbohydrates

Abstract To maximize value and minimize waste in soy processing, all major soybean components, i.e., oil, protein and carbohydrate, should be collected and utilized. Existing processing was originally designed to maximize oil extraction. It tends to make protein and carbohydrate separation from remaining meal more difficult and reduce their value. In this study, a single-step sonication-assisted enzyme processing was developed to separate and collect intact oil bodies, protein bodies and hydrolyzed carbohydrates from soybeans. Confocal laser scanning microscopic observations confirmed enzymatic destruction of cell wall and separation of oil bodies and protein bodies by centrifugation. Distributions of oil, protein and carbohydrate were quantitated in the top oil/cream layer, bottom protein-enriched precipitates, and the middle aqueous solution. Effects of the soybean particle size and the concentration of an Aspergillus niger enzyme were investigated. A pulsed ultrasonic treatment at 1.5 W/ml, for 5 min every 3 h during the enzyme processing, was found to significantly improve the performance and separation of oil bodies from protein. 87% of oil bodies were collected from cracked particles of 0.42–1.19 mm in size using, per g particles, 2 ml enzyme that contained 0.62 FPU/ml cellulase, 93 U/ml xylanase, 5.8 U/ml pectinase and 6.4 U/ml α-galactosidase.

Stability Analysis for Grain Yield and its Components in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill)

Stability Analysis for Grain Yield and its Components in Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill)

Comprehensive transformative profiling of nutritional and functional constituents during germination of soybean sprouts

During germination, the nutritional and functional components of soybeans can undergo a complicated biological transformation. To date, there has been no comprehensive report of the edible value of soybeans and soybean sprouts based on their nutritional and functional constituents. In the present study, the main constituents of soybean sprouts were assessed at 0, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h during germination. The transformative trends in the standardized germination process are described. The results indicated that total protein, total amino acid, vitamin C, total dietary fiber, and total phenolic compounds increased gradually, that concentrations of high-molecular-weight proteins and crude fat decreased, and that concentrations of isoflavones decreased sharply during the initial germination stage and then increased steadily afterward. The antioxidant capacity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity were also studied. These results indicate that the nutritional and functional value of soybean sprouts improves over the course of germination.