Soybean Seeds Research Articles

Simultaneous site-directed mutagenesis for soybean ß-amyrin synthase genes via DNA-free CRISPR/Cas9 system using a single gRNA.

We generated soybean mutants related to two ß-amyrin synthase genes using DNA-free site-directed mutagenesis system. Our results suggested that one of the genes is predominant in the soyasaponin biosynthesis. Soyasaponins, which are triterpenoid saponins contained in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril], are responsible for the astringent aftertaste of soyfood, and their complete elimination from soybean seeds is a key challenge in the development of cultivars with improved taste. While the loss of function in the ß-amyrin synthase genes (GmBAS1 and GmBAS2) has proven effective in reducing soyasaponin content in soybean seeds, the specific functional roles of these genes remain unclear. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis was performed on two GmBAS loci using a DNA-free clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated endonuclease 9 (Cas9) system. A complex of sgRNA targeting sequences conserved in the two loci and Cas9 protein was introduced into the shoot apical meristems of soybean embryonic axes via bombardment. Cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences (CAPS) analysis conducted 1month post-bombardment revealed that 138 seedlings out of 1,467 screened exhibited mutations at one or both GmBAS loci. CAPS and sequencing analysis in the subsequent generation identified a total of 16 plants with inheritable mutations ranging from one to ten nucleotides. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that site-directed mutagenesis in the GmBAS1 locus resulted in the absence of soyasaponins in mature seeds, as well as in young roots, stems, and leaves. These findings demonstrate that GmBAS1 is the predominant ß-amyrin synthase gene in soybean plants. In addition, the DNA-free CRISPR/Cas9 system was shown to be highly efficient in inducing simultaneous mutagenesis at two target loci using a single gRNA.

Rhizobium Inoculants Mitigate Corn Herbicide Residual Effects on Soybean Germination

Corn residual herbicides offer a practical approach to comprehensive weed management throughout the growing season. However, the use of residual pre-emergence herbicides can have a negative impact on crops grown in succession or within a rotation. A study was carried out to determine the effect of the residual activity of selected corn herbicides on soybeans. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of these herbicides on the germination of inoculated soybean seeds. Experiments were conducted in greenhouse conditions to check the carryover effect on soybean germination. Treatment combinations of two pre-herbicides and two inoculants were applied: atrazine (2241 g ai ha−1), mesotrione (105 g ai ha−1), and Bradyrhizobium japonicum, Bradyrhizobium japonicum + Bacillus subtilis, respectively. A randomized complete block design evaluated six treatment combinations, including the control. All treatments, except uninoculated treatments, presented efficacy in reducing the carryover effects of corn residual herbicides on the germination of soybeans. An increase in final germination percentage was observed with Bradyrhizobium japonicum + Bacillus subtilis co-inoculation plus atrazine (24% increase) and Bradyrhizobium japonicum plus mesotrione treatment combinations (19% increase). Inoculating soybean seeds with rhizobium bacteria can reduce the carryover effects on the germination of soybean seeds grown in soil applied with atrazine and mesotrione.

Enhanced Analysis of Low-Abundance Proteins in Soybean Seeds Using Advanced Mass Spectrometry

Enhanced Analysis of Low-Abundance Proteins in Soybean Seeds Using Advanced Mass Spectrometry

Comparative Proteomic Atlas of Two Soybean Varieties with Contrasting Seed Oil and Protein Content.

As complex quantitative traits, soybean seed oil and protein contents are governed by dynamic proteome networks that remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the dynamic changes of the proteome during seed maturation across two soybean varieties with contrasting seed oil and protein content. Through optimizing the detectability of low-abundance proteins and utilizing library-free data-independent acquisition (directDIA) mass spectrometry, we unprecedentedly identified 7414 proteins and 3975 protein groups (PGs), substantially expanding the soybean seed proteome. Among the PGs, 1391 differentially accumulated between the two varieties. By comparing the abundance of PGs between the two varieties, we identified the core and periphery proteome of soybean seeds and revealed that variations in the oil and protein content are primarily attributed to the peripheral proteome, which significantly fluctuated across seed developmental stages. Our work presents a quantitative proteomic atlas underlying the variation of seed oil and protein content in soybean varieties and provides insight into the mechanisms regulating the seed oil and protein content in soybean.

Evaluation of genotypic variations in the protein content of soybean through near infrared spectroscopy

Demand for soybean seeds with increased protein content is high in the international market. In this context, breeding soybean varieties targeting high protein content is the need of the day. In this paper, elite soybean germplasm accessions were screened for protein content. Eighty-eight soybean germplasm was evaluated for protein content through near infrared spectroscopy. A prediction model to determine the protein content of soybean germplasm through a non-destructive method was developed to calibrate the NIR. The protein content of 39 lines was analyzed in wet lab conditions and used to calibrate in NIRs between 1400 and 2400 nm at 2 nm intervals. High determination coefficient and low values of root mean square error (2.585) and standard error of prediction (2.832) confirmed the model’s utility for predicting the protein content of unknown samples. Accordingly, the protein content of 49 germplasm lines revealed that the genotypes LU96, TNAU20056, and SL525 depicted high values of 56.66, 55.51, and 54.48% protein content, respectively, but with fewer yields. The genotype RKS45 recorded a protein content of 45.33% with a single plant yield of 34.09 g, which can be further utilized for hybridization and selection. Thus, a non-significant correlation was observed between the protein content and single plant yield, suggesting that an increase in protein content will not directly influence the yield parameters. This paper provides a simple methodology to accurately determine the protein in a large set of samples in a short time, which helps in speed breeding programs.

Adaptive characteristics of promising soybean cultivars under the conditions of the south of the Russian Far East

Background. Promising soybean breeding material was evaluated for a number of agronomic traits and adaptability to the conditions of Primorsky Territory. The effect of local weather and climate factors on the accumulation of protein and oil in soybean seeds is discussed.Materials and methods. Thirty-two promising soybean cultivars were tested at the Federal Scientific Center of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaika in 2021–2023. Cv. ‘Primorskaya 4’ served as the reference.Results. The best soybean cultivars were selected on the basis of the trials for high yields, high protein and oil content in seeds, and resistance to unfavorable growing conditions. Soybean cvs. Primorskaya 1690 and Primorskaya 1693 exceeded the reference in yield by 32.4% and 38.6%, respectively. The highest oil content in seeds (24.8–25.2%) was observed in Primorskaya 1674, Primorskaya 1685, Primorskaya 1687, and Primorskaya 1690. The highest protein content (over 40.0%) was found in the seeds of Primorskaya 1659, Primorskaya 1675, and Primorskaya 1691. Resistance to stressful growing conditions was demonstrated by Primorskaya 1674, Primorskaya 1679, Primorskaya 1684, Primorskaya 1692, Primorskaya 1702, and Primorskaya 1705. Low environmental plasticity was manifested by 40.6% of the genotypes. Primorskaya 1697, Primorskaya 1698, Primorskaya 1690, and Primorskaya 1693 stood out for their high adaptability. The effect of local weather and climate factors on the accumulation of nutrients in soybean seeds was confirmed. Short-term precipitation combined with high temperatures resulted in higher protein content. Oil accumulation was facilitated by high temperatures accompanied by either deficient or excessive moisture content in soil.

Morphological Characteristics of Leaf Color and Leaf Shape of Soybean Variety Anjasmoro (Glycine max (L.) Merril) under Water Stress

Anjasmoro soybean variety exhibits intolerance to water stress, which can significantly impact the growth of soybean plants, particularly concerning leaf morphological characteristics. This study aims to assess the effects of water stress on the leaf color and leaf shape of the Anjasmoro soybean variety. The research was conducted from June to July 2024 at the Gauze House of Food Crop Agribusiness at SMKN 1 Tambusai, Rokan Hulu, and the Integrated Laboratory of the Agrotechnology Study Program at the Faculty of Agriculture, Pasir Pengaraian University. The materials utilized in this study included Anjasmoro soybean seeds, soil, 35 x 40 cm polybags, and 15 kg of goat manure. This investigation employed a Non-Factorial, Completely Randomized Design (CRD), focusing on the variable of water stress (P) with three replications. The water stress treatments consisted of four levels: P0: 25% field capacity (KL) water stress applied twice daily, P1: 25% KL water stress applied twice daily, P2: 25% KL water stress applied once every three days, and P3: 25% KL water stress applied once every six days. The results indicated that water stress did not significantly affect the leaf color and leaf shape of the Anjasmoro soybean variety in the P0, P1, and P2 treatments. However, the P3 treatment resulted in observable leaf color and shape changes. These findings suggest that the Anjasmoro soybean variety has a low drought tolerance.

Separador de espiral rotativo no beneficiamento de sementes de soja

ABSTRACT Although static spiral separators are efficient in removing particles of varying shapes and densities, they often discard seeds of high physiological quality. This has led to the emergence of devices that enables rotation, thus allowing more precise control over separation of seed fractions. The objective of this work was to assess the physical and physiological quality of soybean seeds separated into qualified and discarded fractions by a rotary spiral separator. The device used for the tests operated at different rotation speeds, processing up to 1.2 Mg h-1. Twenty-seven 30 kg seed bags were used. Treatments consisted of two factors: rotation speeds (null, 5, and 10 rpm) and feed flow rates (0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 Mg h-1), with three replicates. Soybean seeds of the CZ 37B51 IPRO cultivar (2022-2023 crop season) with 13% moisture content were used. The null speed resulted in the highest seed discards (up to 40%), especially at the highest feed flow rate. A speed of 5 rpm also resulted in high discards. A speed of 10 rpm with feed flows of 0.3 and 0.6 Mg h-1 resulted in better performance, reducing discard and improving the fraction of qualified seeds, although it may compromise the quality of these seeds. A speed of 10 rpm reduced the discard of high-quality seeds, and a flow of 1.2 Mg h-1 was less efficient, resulting in a higher discard of high-quality seeds compared to lower flows.

Modeling of the qualitative state of oilseeds from soybean seeds by multifactorial analysis of factor areas

The production of oil products in Ukraine is a leader not only in the European but also in the world market of food and processing industry products, therefore, the priority areas of scientific research in this field are the effective assessment of the quality of the oil obtained. Existing methods for assessing this product by organoleptic characteristics are subjective and do not allow the use of parameters that require more complex measurement technologies; which in general makes it impossible to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the quality of the studied product. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a mathematical modeling method for numerical analysis of the quality of soybean oil product varieties. Qualitative assessment of the studied oil varieties was carried out using such indicators as the mass fraction of fat, peroxide, and acid number; content of free fatty acids, phosphatides, moisture, and impurities; it allowed to perform a numerical analysis using dimensionless complexes regarding the condition of the studied oil product varieties and compliance with regulatory indicators. When processing experimental data and calculating the developed quality criteria, programming methods, Excel, and COMPASS mathematical environments were used, which allowed the construction of geometric quality models and the necessary assessment criteria. According to the results of the research, it turned out that the characteristics of the studied varieties "OAS Avatar", "ES Mentor", "Sigalia", "ES Mentor" and "Gallek" do not meet the requirements for compliance with the quality thresholds by 160 - 220%, however, their current characteristics, which were selected for assessment, are within the average normative indicators. The proposed mathematical models can be implemented for practical application in assessing the condition of any complex object of research using an unlimited number of characteristics. At the same time, the main requirements for these parameters are their breadth of coverage of the physical, mechanical, and chemical-biological properties of the product and the ability to provide an objective and thorough assessment of its condition.

Lateral Flowstrip and PCR detection approach for the identification of unapproved transgenic crops in northern Nigeria

The commercial release of genetically engineered (GE) crops has improved agricultural productivity in many countries. Currently, only three crops have been commercially available in Nigeria. However, there are allegations on the possible illegal existence of many or few more GE crops that have not been commercially approved by the government due to what observers regard as weak regulatory system. The release and commercialization of GE crops in Nigeria must contend with the possibility of having GE crops already in circulation. This study sought to probe the possible existence of the un-commercialised GE crops in major markets of Northern Nigeria, by targeting herbicide tolerance- phosphinothricin acetyltransferase PAT and insect resistance- Pesticidal crystal proteins (Cry) traits. Soybean (Glycine max), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and maize (Zea mays) seeds were collected, and lateral flow strip method used to screen for possible transgenic events in those crops. No transgenic event was found in any of the samples tested using flow-strip analysis. PCR analysis also revealed no positive transgenic event. This is the first report on a scientific investigation to detect Cry and Pat in grains in the region. The approach used in this study serves to provide a baseline data on the status of GE events in Nigeria.

Enhancing Soybean Yield Through Inoculation of Multifunctional Microbial Consortia

Inoculating multifunctional microbial consortia offers potential benefits for enhancing plant growth and grain yield formation. This study verified the feasibility of inoculating soybean (Glycine max) seeds with multifunctional microbial consortia to improve soybean productivity. Seeds were inoculated with 12 combinations of inoculants [Bradyrhizobium japonicum and B. diazoefficiens for biological N2 fixation, Azospirillum brasilense for growth promotion via phytohormone release, Bacillus megaterium (=Priestia megaterium) and B. subtilis for enhancing P uptake, and Trichoderma harzianum as biopesticide] and grown in BOD chamber, greenhouse, and field experiments. In the chamber, inoculated seeds were subjected to germination tests. In the greenhouse, inoculated seeds were sown in pots with nonsterile soil, and plant growth was monitored until the flowering stage. In the field, plants were cultivated until physiological maturity. Soil and plant samples were collected at three growth stages: vegetative, reproductive, and maturation. Measurements included shoot, root, nodules, grain masses, and grain yield, alongside analyses of seed N, P, lipid, protein, and carbohydrate contents. The highest number of microbial inputs and the inclusion of T. harzianum in the microbial consortia impeded seed germination, hindered initial vegetative growth, and decreased plant densities in the plots. Likely due to the crop’s plasticity and the stimulation of microorganisms, the initial setbacks did not affect grain yield and soybean grain lipid content. Therefore, inoculating multifunctional microbial consortia holds promise as a sustainable approach in agriculture. Still, care should be taken concerning an excessive number of inoculants composing the consortia.

Uncovering molecular mechanisms of soybean response to 12C6+ heavy ion irradiation through integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling.

Ion beam mutagenesis is an advanced technique capable of inducing substantial changes in plants, resulting in noticeable alterations in their growth. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of radiation on soybeans remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of ionizing radiation on soybean development through a comprehensive approach that integrates transcriptomics and metabolomics. A total of 1500 rounds of disease-free soybean seeds underwent irradiation with 270 MeV/u 12C6+ ion beams, administered at doses of 0, 120, and 150 Gy. Our results revealed that key growth-related parameters, including plant height, branch number, number of pods per plant, and number of seeds per plant, were closely monitored and exhibited significant declines with increasing radiation doses. Transcriptomic analysis identified a multitude of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 6013, 3588, and 340 genes significantly altered in high vs. control, low vs. control, and high vs. low-dose irradiation comparisons, respectively, while metabolomic profiling unveiled 445, 445, and 218 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in analogous comparisons. This comprehensive analysis ultimately pinpointed 123 key metabolites influenced by radiation stress. Putting together transcriptomic and metabolomic data showed strong connections between genes and metabolites, which had a big effect on pathways like pyruvate metabolism, ABC transporters, and glutathione metabolism. This underscores the comprehensive reprogramming of soybean metabolism to address irradiation-induced challenges. Specifically, we observed significant up-regulation of 24 DEGs, notable down-regulation of 8 DEMs, and significant activation of 15 metabolic pathways, all of which contributed to the observed phenotypic changes. These findings elucidate soybeans' complex molecular reactions to ionizing radiation, helping us understand how radiation-induced genetic and metabolic alterations affect plant growth.

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Analyses of Flavonoid Biosynthesis in Different Colors of Soybean Seed Coats.

Soybean has outstanding nutritional and medicinal value because of its abundant protein, oil, and flavonoid contents. This crop has rich seed coat colors, such as yellow, green, black, brown, and red, as well as bicolor variants. However, there are limited reports on the synthesis of flavonoids in the soybean seed coats of different colors. Thus, the seed coat metabolomes and transcriptomes of five soybean germplasms with yellow (S141), red (S26), brown (S62), green (S100), and black (S124) seed coats were measured. In this study, 1645 metabolites were detected in the soybean seed coat, including 426 flavonoid compounds. The flavonoids differed among the different-colored seed coats of soybean germplasms, and flavonoids were distributed in all varieties. Procyanidins A1, B1, B6, C1, and B2, cyanidin 3-O-(6″-malonyl-arabinoside), petunidin 3-(6″-p-coumaryl-glucoside) 5-glucoside, and malvidin 3-laminaribioside were significantly upregulated in S26_vs._S141, S62_vs._S141, S100_vs._S141, and S124_vs._S141 groups, with a variation of 1.43-2.97 × 1013 in terms of fold. The differences in the contents of cyanidin 3-O-(6″-malonyl-arabinoside) and proanthocyanidin A1 relate to the seed coat color differences of red soybean. Malvidin 3-laminaribioside, petunidin 3-(6″-p-coumaryl-glucoside) 5-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-(6″-malonyl-arabinoside), and proanthocyanidin A1 affect the color of black soybean. The difference in the contents of procyanidin B1 and malvidin 3-glucoside-4-vinylphenol might be related to the seed coat color differences of brown soybeans. Cyanidin 3-gentiobioside affects the color of green soybean. The metabolomic-transcriptomic combined analysis showed that flavonoid biosynthesis is the key synthesis pathway for soybean seed color formation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the upregulation of most flavonoid biosynthesis genes was observed in all groups, except for S62_vs._S141, and promoted flavonoid accumulation. Furthermore, CHS, CHI, DFR, FG3, ANR, FLS, LAR, and UGT88F4 exhibited differential expression in all groups. This study broadens our understanding of the metabolic and transcriptomic changes in soybean seed coats of different colors and provides new insights into developing bioactive substances from soybean seed coats.

Optimizing Biopolymer Seed Coatings: Impact of Sodium Alginate and Chitosan on the Viability of Trichoderma Harzianum, Bradyrhizobium Japonicum and Soybean Seed Quality

Optimizing Biopolymer Seed Coatings: Impact of Sodium Alginate and Chitosan on the Viability of Trichoderma Harzianum, Bradyrhizobium Japonicum and Soybean Seed Quality

Yield and seed quality of soybeans in the Ukrainian Right-bank Foreststeppe

Purpose. To analyze the yield, structural elements of the yield and qualitative characteristics of the soybean different varieties seeds of domestic selection. Methods. Field, morphometric, weight, laboratory, mathematical and statistical. Results. Soybean varieties that differ in the duration of the growing season and ripening terms were analyzed, according to morphological characteristics and quantitative yield indicators (number of beans, seeds, seed weight), as well as seed yield and its quality. It was established that plants of the Oksana variety demonstrated the highest vegetative mass, characterized by the greatest plant height and weight. The smallest were soybean plants of the KiVin variety. It was found that the maximum number of productive junctures was formed on soybean plants of the Oksana and Khutoryanochka varieties, which contributed to the development of the largest number of fruits – beans on the plant. The shorter development period of the KiVin variety led to a decrease in the number of beans on plants. The Oksana variety prevailed over other studied plants in terms of the number of formed seeds per plant and their weight. For all varieties, the large seed fraction, with a diameter of 6 mm, prevailed. The Oksana variety had the highest content of large fraction seeds, and the Monada variety had the highest content of medium fraction seeds. The Oksana variety demonstrated the highest germination energy and germination rate for the large fraction of seeds, while the KiVin variety showed the best performance for medium and small fractions. The total yield was the highest in the Khutoryanochka and Oksana varieties. The highest protein content was in soybeans of the Monada and Oksana varieties, and the highest fat content was in seeds of the KiVin variety. Conclusions. The Oksana soybean variety was the most productive in terms of a number of indicators.

Influence of Microbiological Preparations and Microelements on Indicators of Photosynthetic and Symbiotic Activity of Soybean Crops

The article presents the results of studies on the effect of the combined use of microbiological fertilizers and microelements on the formation of the photosynthetic and symbiotic apparatus, the size and structure of the yield, the chemical composition and quality of soybean seeds, carried out on leached chernozems in the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic foothills zone. The use of microbiological fertilizers and microelements as preparations for pre-sowing treatment of soybean seeds increases the weight of active nodules by 46.7–61.0 kg / ha, the active symbiotic potential – 2.4–2.8 thousand units, the amount of fixed atmospheric nitrogen by the symbiotic soybean system – 36.1–40.1 kg / ha. In 2022, the maximum number of nodules, including active ones, was formed in the Fon + Ultrastim® variant, the smallest – in the control. In 2023 which was less moisture-rich for nodule formation, the maximum number of nodules was in the Background + ATUVA® variant. Creating optimal conditions for biological nitrogen fixation (Background + ATUVA®) increases the area of soybean leaves by 14.1 thousand m²/ha, photosynthetic potential is 72.7 thousand units, dry matter accumulation is 1.84 t/ha, seed yield – 1.33 t/ha. The microbiological fertilizers and microelements application (Background + ATUVA®) increases the nitrogen content in the vegetative and generative organs of soybeans throughout the growing season, increases the nitrogen accumulation by seeds by 36.1–40.1 kg/ha, the share of atmospheric nitrogen in plant nutrition – 42–50%; the protein content in seeds is 1.1%, while the collection of protein with soybean seeds increases by 479 kg.

Improving Soybean Germination and Nodule Development with Nitric Oxide-Releasing Polymeric Nanoparticles

Nitric oxide (NO) is a multifunctional signaling molecule in plants, playing key roles in germination, microbial symbiosis, and nodule formation. However, its instability requires innovative approaches, such as using nanoencapsulated NO donors, to prolong its effects. This study evaluated the impact of treating soybean (Glycine max) seeds with the NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO), encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles, on the germination, nodulation, and plant growth. Seeds were treated with free GSNO, chitosan nanoparticles with/without NO (NP CS-GSNO/NP CS-GSH, where GSH is glutathione, the NO donor precursor), and alginate nanoparticles with/without NO (NP Al-GSNO/NP Al-GSH). Chitosan nanoparticles (positive zeta potential) were smaller and released NO faster compared with alginate nanoparticles (negative zeta potential). The seed treatment with NP CS-GSNO (1 mM, related to GSNO concentration) significantly improved germination percentage, root length, number of secondary roots, and dry root mass of soybean compared with the control. Conversely, NP CS-GSH resulted in decreased root and shoot length. NP Al-GSNO enhanced shoot dry mass and increased the number of secondary roots by approximately threefold at the highest concentrations. NP CS-GSNO, NP Al-GSNO, and NP Al-GSH increased S-nitrosothiol levels in the roots by approximately fourfold compared with the control. However, NP CS-GSNO was the only treatment that increased the nodule dry mass of soybean plants. Therefore, our results indicate the potential of chitosan nanoparticles to improve the application of NO donors in soybean seeds.

A Study on Effectiveness of Fluted Feed Roller Metering Device for High-Speed Soybean Sowing

This study investigated the usability of available fluted feed roller for high-speed drilling of soybean seeds. A 7-grove fluted roller having roller, with a roller diameter of 56 mm and a flute diameter of 20 mm, was evaluated in a laboratory setup of a stationary seed drill. The laboratory setup consisted of seed hopper, metering mechanism, delivery pipe, plastic bucket, precision weighing balance, screw mechanism, variable speed motor system, and data acquisition system. The fluted roller was operated in replicated trials at four feed shaft speeds (8, 13, 18 and 23 rpm), three exposure lengths (1/3rd, 2/3rd and full) and at two widths of slot (WS) between roller and bottom plate of the feed unit 10 and 20 mm. Flow accuracy calculated for each trial revealed that the flow accuracy is significantly affected by fluted roller speed and active exposure length. For an optimal flow accuracy, the fluted feed roller should be operated with a full exposure length, at a fluted roller speed of 23 rpm at both WS for the soybean seeds. The best result for seed flow accuracy was found with fluted roller speed of 23 rpm, full exposure length, and 10 mm WS.

Характеристика белкового комплекса сортов сои селекции ВНИИМК

The biochemical composition of soybean seeds determines the use of soybeans as a source of food and feed proteins. In this study, the protein complex of seeds of soybean varieties bred at V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops was evaluat-ed. The mass fraction of protein was determined by the Kjeldahl method on a VELP Scientifica device (Italy). Amino-acid composition was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography on a Sevco ARM-1000 amino-acid analyzer (Russia). Standard methods were used in the work. The ratio of amino-acid composition of soybean protein by functional groups as well as the protein content in soybean varieties bred at V.S. Pustovoit All-Russian Research Institute of Oil Crops (39.35–42.93%) were determined. The wholesomeness of soybean protein was estimated on the basis of the content of essential amino ac-ids in relation to the FAO/WHO reference protein. During the research it was determined that all essential amino acids have score more than 100%. The biological value of the soybean samples was calculated and ranged from 71.20 to 79.10 %. The ratio of differences in amino acid composition varied from 20.90 to 28.80%. The utility coefficient of the amino acid composition of soybean seed protein differed slightly among varieties (0.68-0.72 fractions of unit). The best ratio of qualitative characteristics of the protein complex was observed in the variety Puma.

Soybean Yield and Yield Components Depending on Sowing Rate and Sowing Date

A research on the influence of a sowing date on the soybean yield and the yield of its components was carried out at the Experimental Site of the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Zagreb during 2019 and 2020. The study involved two soybean varieties, the AFZG Ana (maturity group 0) and Gabriela (maturity group 00-0), sown on the two sowing dates (i.e., an optimal and a late one) and three sowing rates: 40, 65, and 90 germinating seeds m-2. The sowing time did not have a significant effect on the soybean seeds’ yield and the yield of their components. In both research years, the Gabriela variety achieved a higher seed yield when compared to the AFZG Ana variety, which is a result of a higher number of nodes on the main stem, number of fertile nodes on the main stem, number of pods, number of seeds, and the seed weight per plant. The Gabriela variety achieved a significantly higher harvest index in both years. The seed yield increased with an increasing sowing density up to 65 seeds m-2. However, the differences were statistically significant only in 2019. The values of the yield components decreased with an increasing sowing density.