Soybean Research Articles

The LTAR Cropland Common Experiment at Eastern Corn Belt.

The Eastern Corn Belt (ECB) Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network site is one of the most agriculturally productive areas in the United States; however, nutrient and sediment losses from this region directly contribute to water quality impairment in both the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Erie. One of the largest challenges facing agricultural production in the ECB is water management, especially under a changing climate. Shifting precipitation patterns in combination with evolving infrastructure (i.e., tile drainage, irrigation) and management (i.e., crops planted; 4R nutrient management: source, timing, rate, and placement) in response to changing climate are likely to alter water quantity and quality and agricultural productivity. Through plot- and field-scale research, the ECB Common Experiment (CE) is focused on crop, soil, and water management to support sustainable agricultural intensification, with the goal of maximizing profitability, minimizing agriculture's environmental footprint, and enhancing ecosystem services. At both spatial scales, the CE aims to examine differences in water quantity and quality between the primary prevailing crop production system in the ECB (i.e., corn [Zea mays L.]-soybean [Glycine max L.] rotation, tillage prior to corn planting, free drainage, and fertility management consistent with tri-state recommendations) and an alternative system (e.g., adding small grains into the crop rotation, cover crops, limited phosphorus fertilizer, and drainage water management). Aligning producer and stakeholders needs with research objectives and long-term data collection, the ECB CE will tackle both ongoing and newly emerging research priorities and explore the effectiveness of conservation strategies to decrease nutrient and sediment losses from agricultural land.

Optimization of Process Parameters for Healthy and Nutritious Instant Ready-to-Cook Black Soybean Dal Premix

Optimization of Process Parameters for Healthy and Nutritious Instant Ready-to-Cook Black Soybean Dal Premix

Connecting the Dots between GmPERK-1 and Enhanced Grain Weight in Glycine max

Large and distinct families of receptor-like kinases (RLKs) play elemental roles in many fundamental processes of plants. The proline-rich extensin-like receptor kinase (PERK) family is one of the most pivotal classes of RLKs. To date, there have been no comprehensive or published studies conducted on the PERK gene family in Glycine max. This research aimed to characterize the role of the PERK gene family in cultivated soybean using a systematic array of bioinformatic and experimental approaches. We identified 16 PERK members in G. max through local BLASTp, using PERK members from Arabidopsis thaliana as a query. Tissue expression of genes, predicted via tissue specific expression analysis from the soybean database “SoyBase”, revealed that these PERK genes exhibit differentiated expression patterns in various plant organs. The gene structure was predicted via Gene Structure Display Server (GSDS). Phylogeny was demonstrated through an evolutionary tree employing the neighbor-joining method. Subcellular localization of proteins was identified via “Softberry” and cis-acting elements were identified through PlantCARE. The KASP (Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP)) marker was developed for the GmPERK-1-C and GmPERK-1-T allele, targeting position 167 nt in the CDS region. Genotyping results indicated that GmPERK-1 exhibits promising potential for utilization in molecular breeding programs for soybean to increase crop yield. Collectively, our findings indicate that G. max accessions harboring the GmPERK-1-C allele exhibit significantly higher thousand grain weight compared to accessions carrying the GmPERK-1-T allele. This research enhances the understanding of the molecular roles of PERK genes in G. max, providing valuable insights for the utilization of favorable genetic variations in soybean molecular breeding programs.

The effectivity of edamame extract (Glycine max L. Merrill) as a heat-cured acrylic resin denture cleanser using in vitro toxicity studies

Denture cleanser that are used over a long period will produce residue that can be absorbed by the acrylic resin. The hydrophilic acrylic resin can cause denture-cleaning molecules to enter through microporosity which can be toxic to the oral tissue. Plant-based denture cleanser is commonly used one of which is edamame (Glycine Max L. Merrill) extract. Denture cleanser made from edamame extract needs to be tested for toxicity to determine the biocompatibility of the material in the oral cavity, specifically on fibroblast cells. This study aims to determine the toxicity of edamame extract as a denture cleanser for heat-cured acrylic resin, which is soaked for 4 days against BHK-21 fibroblast cells. This 4-day submersion equals 15 minutes of submersion per day for 1 year. The toxicity tests were carried out using the MTT assay method. The results of these MTT tests can be seen from the absorbance values and calculating the percentages of cell viability. The more cells that are still alive, the more intense the purple color produced. The research results showed that the acrylic resin group which was soaked in a 50% concentration of edamame extract was not toxic to fibroblast cells, because the percentage of cell viability had a value of >70%, which was 83.638%. This research concludes that 50% concentration of edamame extract as a denture cleanser for heat-cured acrylic resin is not toxic to BHK-21 fibroblast cells compared to 75% and 100% concentrations of edamame extract.

Alleviation of Drought Stress in Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril] by Foliar Application of Thiourea on Productivity and Profitability under Rainfed Condition

Background: In changing climatic scenario, plants often face periods of soil and atmospheric water deficits because of scarcity of water availability and deteriorating quality across the globe. Drought stress is the one of the major abiotic factors that reduce plant water status, obstructs photosynthesis, brings oxidative stress hindering soybean productivity. In view of this, bioregulators (thiourea) are innovative agricultural technique used to protect plants, minimizing the adverse effects caused by environmental stress. Therefore, an alternative to improve crop yield under rainfed condition by application of bioregulators like thiourea and suitable varieties are important in order to mitigate stress in soybean production. Methods: The field experiments were conducted in Factorial RBD with three replications. To know the impact of foliar spray of thiourea on growth, physiological parameters, yield parameters, yield and economics of two soybean varieties were carried out during kharif 2020, 2021 and 2022. Result: Long term results showed that, by using MACS 1188 variety of soybean and foliar spray of thiourea at 500 ppm and 750 ppm during the 25 and 55 DAS is a commendatory option and most remunerative for farmers to improve the productivity and profitability of soybean in Northern Transition Zone of Karnataka.

Monitoring the Spatial Distribution of Cover Crops and Tillage Practices Using Machine Learning and Environmental Drivers across Eastern South Dakota.

The adoption of conservation agriculture methods, such as conservation tillage and cover cropping, is a viable alternative to conventional farming practices for improving soil health and reducing soil carbon losses. Despite their significance in mitigating climate change, there are very few studies that have assessed the overall spatial distribution of cover crops and tillage practices based on the farm's pedoclimatic and topographic characteristics. Hence, the primary objective of this study was to use multiple satellite-derived indices and environmental drivers to infer the level of tillage intensity and identify the presence of cover crops in eastern South Dakota (SD). We used a machine learning classifier trained with in situ field samples and environmental drivers acquired from different remote sensing datasets for 2022 and 2023 to map the conservation agriculture practices. Our classification accuracies (>80%) indicate that the employed satellite spectral indices and environmental variables could successfully detect the presence of cover crops and the tillage intensity in the study region. Our analysis revealed that 4% of the corn (Zea mays) and soybean (Glycine max) fields in eastern SD had a cover crop during either the fall of 2022 or the spring of 2023. We also found that environmental factors, specifically seasonal precipitation, growing degree days, and surface texture, significantly impacted the use of conservation practices. The methods developed through this research may provide a viable means for tracking and documenting farmers' agricultural management techniques. Our study contributes to developing a measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV) solution that could help used to monitor various climate-smart agricultural practices.

Breeding a black soybean line with green cotyledon free from lectin, KTI, P34, lipoxygenase, and stachyose

Breeding a black soybean line with green cotyledon free from lectin, KTI, P34, lipoxygenase, and stachyose

A sucrose-binding protein and β-conglycinins regulate soybean seed protein content and control multiple seed traits.

Expanded agriculture production is required to support the world's population but can impose substantial environmental and climate change costs, particularly with intensifying animal production and protein demand. Shifting from an animal- to a plant-based protein diet has numerous health benefits. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a major source of protein for human food and animal feed; improved soybean protein content and amino acid composition could provide high-quality soymeal for animal feed, healthier human foods, and a reduced carbon footprint. Nonetheless, during the soybean genome evolution, a balance was established between the amount of seed protein, oil, and carbohydrate content, burdening the development of soybean cultivars with high proteins. We isolated two high-seed protein (HP) soybean mutants, HP1 and HP2, with improved seed amino acid composition and stachyose content, pointing to their involvement in controlling seed rebalancing phenomenon. HP1 encodes β-conglycinin (GmCG-1) and HP2 encodes Sucrose Binding Protein (GmSBP-1), which are both highly expressed in soybean seeds. Mutations in GmSBP-1, GmCG-1, and the paralog GmCG-2 resulted in increased protein levels, confirming their role as general regulators of seed protein content, amino acid seed composition, and seed vigor. Biodiversity analysis of GmCG and GmSBP across 108 soybean accessions revealed haplotypes correlated with protein and seed carbohydrate content. Furthermore, our data revealed an unprecedented role of GmCG and GmSBP proteins in improving seed vigor, crude protein, and amino acid digestibility. Since GmSBP and GmCG are present in most seed plants analyzed, these genes could be targeted to improve multiple seed traits.

Qualitative Production of Mixture Silage within a Sustainable Concept

Climate change and seasonality in forage production have caused alterations in animal feed. Thus, this study evaluated the composition of silages from soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) mixed with tropical grasses. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four replications. Treatments were silage from soybeans, silage from soybeans with Aruana Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana), and silage from soybeans with Congo grass (Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Comum). Silos were stored for 60 days in the laboratory at room temperature. The silage from soybeans with Aruana Guinea grass showed the highest contents of dry matter, crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, insoluble nitrogen in neutral detergent fiber, and insoluble nitrogen in acid detergent fiber but the lowest levels of crude protein and ether extract. The highest content of mineral material and hemicellulose was observed in the silage from soybeans with Congo grass. The silages from soybeans and soybeans with Congo grass showed no significant differences for acid detergent fiber and lignin. In conclusion, the use of tropical grasses as a component to improve the quality of silage from soybeans is an alternative for forage conservation in ruminant production systems, especially at the dry season.

Associations of physical activity and soybean product consumption with psychological symptoms: a cross-sectional survey of Chinese university students

IntroductionDeclining physical activity among university students has become a concern, with increasingly poor dietary behaviors and other unfavorable factors having an impact on the occurrence of psychological symptoms. Previous studies have analyzed the association between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and psychological symptoms, but few studies have investigated the association between soy product consumption and these symptoms. In addition, the associations between physical activity and soy product consumption with psychological symptoms have not been investigated.MethodsIn this study, 7267 university students from different regions of China were surveyed regarding physical activity, soy product consumption, and psychological symptoms. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the associations among MVPA, soy product consumption, and psychological symptoms. A generalized linear model (GLM) was applied to further analyze the associations of MVPA and soy product consumption with psychological symptoms in this population.ResultsThe detection rate of psychological symptoms among Chinese university students was 17.9%, with the rate among female students (18.9%) higher than that among male students (16.6%). The proportion of university students with MVPA < 30 min/d, 30–60 min/d, and > 60 min/d was 76.1%, 19.3%, and 4.6%, respectively, and the proportion with soy product consumption ≤ 2 times/wk, 3–5 times/wk, and ≥ 5 times/wk was 25.8%, 42.4%, and 31.7%, respectively. The GLM showed that compared with university students who had MVPA < 30 min/d and soy product consumption ≤ 2 times/week, those with the lowest risk of developing psychological symptoms had MVPA > 60 min/d and soy product consumption ≥ 6 times/week (OR = 0.198, 95% CI: 0.100–0.393, P < 0.001). This group was followed by university students with MVPA > 60 min/d and soy product consumption 3–5 times/week (OR = 0.221, 95% CI: 0.102–0.479, P < 0.001).ConclusionIn terms of research, there is an association between physical activity and soy product consumption and psychological symptoms among university students. The results of our study suggest that integrated intervention for psychological symptoms among university students is needed from the perspectives of physical activity and dietary behavior to promote good mental health in this population.

Soybean seed yield, protein, and oil concentration for a modern and old genotype under varying row spacings

Progress in soybean (Glycine max L.) breeding has led to a reduction in optimal seeding rates due to enhanced branching capacity over time. However, less is known about the changes in canopy architecture between old and modern soybean genotypes at varying row spacing and their impact on yield and seed quality through the main stem and branches. Therefore, this study aimed to i) evaluate yield and seed quality responses of an old and modern soybean genotype at different row spacings and ii) examine the yield and seed quality of branches and the main stem. Trials were conducted in Kansas (United States, US) during 2020 and 2021, comparing two genotypes (old, released in 1980, and modern, released in 2013) at four row spacings (0.19, 0.38, 0.76, and 1.52 m) under rainfed conditions. Seed yield and quality (protein and oil concentrations, %) were assessed at the end of each growing season. In 2021, both genotypes had low and similar yields at all row spacings (averaging 2481 kg ha−1) with 2.5 % less protein on branches compared to the main stem. However, 2022 resulted in a high-yielding environment, with the modern yielding 50 % more (3584 kg ha−1) than the old (2315 kg ha−1) genotype in narrow row spacings (<0.38 m). Additionally, the modern genotype showed a three-fold greater contribution to yield from branches (1113 kg ha−1) relative to the old genotype (379 kg ha−1). Despite the high yields observed in narrow rows, the modern genotype maintained protein levels. These results highlight the importance of row spacing as a key management practice for improving yield while maintaining protein levels in high yield conditions.

A comparative analysis of soil organic carbon stock and soil aggregation in two crop sequences in the Rolling Pampa (Argentina)

Understanding how farming practices affect soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation is essential for sustainable agriculture. Agronomic decisions, such as crop sequence, significantly influence various soil properties. However, the overall benefits of crop rotation on soil structure and SOC storage remain uncertain. We compared the effects of soybean (Glycine max L.) monocropping with a three-year crop rotation comprising wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/soybean double crop, maize (Zea mays L.), and soybean on the vertical distribution of SOC up to one metre depth. Additionally, we examined carbon accumulation as particulate organic matter-carbon (POM-C), soil aggregation, and structural stability in the topsoil. Compared to monocropping, crop rotation increased SOC concentrations (19 vs. 16 gC kg soil⁻¹), stock (12 vs. 10.7 MgC ha⁻¹), and POM-C content (6 vs. 3.2 gC kg soil⁻¹) in the first 5 cm of soil. At 20–65 cm depth, rotation showed a marginal increment of SOC stock with respect to soybean monocropping. The increased surface SOC content in the rotation positively affected the POM-C content and macro-aggregation. However, soil structural stability showed a tendency to be higher in the monocropping, especially at a depth of 5–20 cm. Overall, crop rotation demonstrated potential for enhanced carbon sequestration in temperate agroecosystems within three years, despite not significantly improving soil structural stability.

Effect of different frozen storage conditions on Yuba quality

Yuba is a vegetable protein made from soya beans, with high-protein and high-lipid characteristics. This study investigated the quality change and deterioration mechanism of Yuba during frozen storage at different temperatures and times. The significant decrease in the water holding capacity (WHC) of Yuba occurred during frozen storage. And the sulfhydryl groups within the Yuba protein (YP) were broken with more disorder structure. The frozen storage refolds the polypeptide chains into proteins aggregates. Yuba occurred ripening at -3 °C obviously compared to -20 °C and -40 °C after 21 d of frozen storage. The quality change of Yuba was dominated by protein denaturation and mechanical damage by ice crystals in the early stage. The sharp increase in protein and lipid oxidation of Yuba at the later stages suggests that higher lipid oxidation reactions are promoted along with protein oxidation. Synergistic effects of lipid and protein oxidation in the later stages exacerbated the degradation of Yuba quality. The high-lipid content makes Yuba more susceptible to quality deterioration during frozen storage compared to other high-protein foods. This study provides a reference for the preservation of high-lipid and high-protein foods.

Predict the characteristics of the DI engine with various injection timings by Glycine max oil biofuel using artificial neural networks.

Glycine max oil biofuel (GMOB) is a product of the transesterification of soybean oil. It contains a substantial amount of thermal energy. In this study, the result of varying fuel injection timings on the performance, ignition, and exhaust parameters of a research engine with single-cylinder, four-stroke with direct injection (DI) diesel was experimentally investigated and optimised using artificial neural networks (ANN). The results demonstrated that a 20% fuel blend with 24.5° before top dead centre (b TDC) decreased brake thermal efficiency (BTE), NOx emissions, and exhaust cylinder temperature but improved fuel consumption, carbon dioxide emissions (CDE), and smoke emissions. With 26.5° b TDC, the BTE was found to be approximately 5.0% higher while the fuel consumption was approximately 2.0% lower than with the original injection timing of 24.5° b TDC. At 26.5° b TDC, the NOx emission was approximately 8.6% higher, and the smoke emission was approximately 4.07% lower than at the original injection timing (24.5° b TDC).

Comparison of grain traits and genetic diversity between Chinese and Uruguayan soybeans (Glycine max L.)

Soybeans (Glycine max L.), originating in China, were introduced to South America in the late 19th century after passing through North America. South America is now a major soybean-producing region, accounting for approximately 40% of the global soybean production. Crops like soybeans gradually adapt to the local climate and human-selected conditions, resulting in beneficial variations during cultivation in different regions. Comparing the phenotypic and genetic variations in soybeans across different regions is crucial to determining the variations that may enhance soybean productivity. This study identified seed-related traits and conducted a genetic diversity analysis using 46 breeding soybean varieties from China and Uruguay. Compared to the Chinese soybean germplasm, the Uruguayan equivalent had a lower 100-grain weight, higher oil content, lower protein content, and higher soluble sugar content. Using ZDX1 gene chips, genetic typing was performed on the 46 breeding varieties. Cluster analysis based on SNP sites revealed significant differences in the genetic basis of Sino-Uruguayan soybean germplasm. Selection analysis, including nucleotide polymorphism (π) and fixation indexes (Fst), identified several genomic regions under selection between Sino-Uruguayan soybean germplasm. The selected intervals significantly enriched gene ontology (GO) terms related to protein metabolism. Additionally, differentiation occurred in genes associated with the oil content, seed weight, and cyst nematodes between Sino-Uruguayan soybean germplasm, such as GmbZIP123 and GmSSS1. These findings highlight the differences in seed-related phenotypes between Sino-Uruguay soybean germplasm and provide genomic-level insights into the mechanisms behind phenotypic differences, offering valuable references for understanding soybean evolution and molecular breeding.

Characterization of a new style tofu coagulated by fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum SJ-L-1.

A new style of tofu coagulated through the fermentation of Lactobacillus plantarum SJ-L-1 was produced. L. plantarum SJ-L-1 with a high growth rate and excellent acid production ability was isolated and identified from naturally fermented soy yellow whey. The gene annotation indicated the potential outstanding isoflavone conversion capacity of L. plantarum SJ-L-1. Furthermore, fermentation tofu was prepared using L. plantarum SJ-L-1 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus 1-16 as the starter microbiota. Compared to traditional MgCl2 tofu and fermented soy whey tofu, SJ-L-1 tofu exhibited a slight increase in hardness and better structure uniformity. SJ-L-1 tofu also possessed the highest levels of total isoflavone content (76.33µg/g) and volatile compounds (561.54µg/kg) among the four styles of tofu. This research indicated that this new type of tofu coagulated through a combination of heat and fermentation of L. plantarum SJ-L-1 represents a promising candidate for future functional foods.

Food triggered anaphylaxis in adults.

Adult food allergy, either unresolved from childhood, or new-onset in adult-life, is known to be increasingly prevalent. Although much of the reported anaphylaxis in adults is due to drug reactions, foods are becoming an increasingly important trigger, affecting adults of all ages, with a wide variation in food triggers which are often quite different to those reported in children. Peanuts are well known to cause anaphylaxis in some adult populations, but other legumes such as soy may be more relevant in others. Reactions to natto, fermented soybeans, are currently mainly reported in Japan, but changing dietary practices and an increase in plant-based eating mean natto, other forms of soy and other legumes are increasingly linked to anaphylaxis in Western countries. Anaphylaxis to red meat, caused by sensitization to galactose-α-1,3-galactose and first reported in North America, is now a more world-wide concern. Co-factor induced anaphylaxis is increasingly associated with both wheat allergy and lipid transfer protein allergy. More research is urgently needed to characterize adult food allergy, its triggers and symptom severity. Unusual food triggers and potential co-factors should be considered, so that anaphylaxis in adults can be correctly managed, not merely labelled as idiopathic.

Development and implementation of nested single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays for breeding and genetic research applications.

SoySNP50K and SoySNP6K are commonly used for soybean (Glycine max) genotyping. The SoySNP50K assay has been used to genetically analyze the entire USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection, while the SoySNP6K assay, containing a subset of 6000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from SoySNP50K, has been used for quantitative trait loci mapping of different traits. To meet the needs for genomic selection, selection of parents for crosses, and characterization of breeding populations, especially early selection of ideal offspring from thousands of lines, we developed two assays, SoySNP3K and SoySNP1K, containing 3072 and 1252 SNPs, respectively, based on SoySNP50K and SoySNP6K mark sets. These two assays also contained the trait markers reported or contributed by soybean breeders. The SNPs in the SoySNP3K are a subset from SoySNP6K, while the SNPs in the SoySNP1K are a subset from SoySNP3K. These SNPs were chosen to reduce the SNP number in the large linkage blocks while capturing as much of the haplotype diversity as possible. They are highly polymorphic and of high quality. The mean minor allele frequencies of the SNPs in the southern and northern US elites were 0.25 and 0.27 for SoySNP3K, respectively, and 0.29 and 0.33 for SoySNP1K. The selected SNPs are a valuable source for developing targeted amplicon sequencing assay or beadchip assay in soybean. SoySNP3K and SoySNP1K assays are commercialized by Illumina Inc. and AgriPlex Genomics, respectively. Together with SoySNP50K and SoySNP6K, a series of nested assays with different marker densities will serve as additional low-cost genomic tools for genetic, genomic, and breeding research.

Wireworm species associated with corn and soybean agroecosystems in Ontario, Canada.

Wireworms, the larvae of click beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae), are often the target of insecticide seed treatments commonly used in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) production in North America. Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge of the species, life history, and economic impact of wireworms present in these agroecosystems. An extensive survey of wireworms was conducted in corn and soybean fields in Ontario, Canada, from 2014 to 2017 to document species distribution and co-occurrence and to identify risk factors related to their abundance. In total, 4,332 specimens were collected from 1,245 different sampling records. The dominant species collected was Limonius agonus (Say) (Coleoptera: Elateridae) comprising 71.5% of the specimens. The remaining wirewormspecimens were identified as Hypnoidus abbreviatus (Say), Melanotus similis (Kirby), M. cribulosus (LeConte), M. depressus (Melsheimer), M. communis (Gyllenhal),Agriotes mancus (Say),Aeolus mellillus (Say), and Hemicrepidius spp (Germar). Multiple wireworm species were found to commonly occur within the same field and the same sample. Path analysis was conducted to investigate whether site, soil, and agronomic characteristics influenced wireworm distribution and abundance. Several significant relationships were found between wireworm species and geographic factors, soil texture, and agronomic practices. The results of this survey provide critical information that can be used to improve integrated pest management of the major wireworm genera found in corn and soybean agroecosystems in Ontario.

Evaluation of the Impact of Chemical Mutagens on the Phenological and Biochemical Characteristics of Two Varieties of Soybean (Glycine max L.).

Mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency are the most important factors determining the success of mutation breeding, a coherent tool for quickly enhancing diversity in crops. This study was carried out at Lovely Professional University's agricultural research farm in Punjab, India, during the year 2023. The experimental design followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The experiment aimed to assess the effect of three chemical mutagens, sodium azide (SA), ethyl methyl sulphonates (EMSs), and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS), at three different concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6%), in SL958 and SL744 soybean varieties to select the mutant exhibiting the highest yield. The data were collected and analysed using a two-way ANOVA test through SPSS software (version 22), and the means were separated using Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT) at the 5% level of significance. Between the two varieties, the highest seed germination percentage (76.0% seedlings/plot) was recorded in SL958 (0.4% SA), while the lowest (30.33% seedlings/plot) was observed in 0.6% MMS as compared to the control (53% and 76% in SL744 and SL958 at 10 days after sowing, respectively). Several weeks after sowing, the average plant height was observed to be higher (37.84 ± 1.32 cm) in SL958 (0.4% SA) and lower (20.58 ± 0.30 cm) in SL744 (0.6% SA), as compared to the controls (SL958: 26.09 ± 0.62 cm and SL744: 27.48 ± 0.74 cm). The average leaf count was the highest (234.33 ± 3.09 tetrafoliate leaves/plant) in SL958 (0.4% SA) while it was the lowest (87 leaves/plant) in 0.6% MMS as compared to the control (SL744 180.00 ± 1.63 and SL958 160.73 ± 1.05). The highest total leaf areas recorded in the SL958 and SL744 M1plants were 3625.8 ± 1.43 cm2 and 2311.03 ± 3.65 cm2, respectively. Seeds of the SL958 variety treated with 0.4% SA resulted in the development of tetrafoliate leaves with a broad leaf base and the maximum yield (277.55 ± 1.37 pods/plant) compared to the narrow pentafoliate leaves obtained through the treatment with EMS. Meanwhile, in the SL744 variety, the same treatment led to tetrafoliate leaves with a comparatively lower yield of 206.54 ± 23.47 pods/plant as compared to the control (SL744 164.33 ± 8.58 and SL958 229.86 ± 0.96). The highest protein content (47.04 ± 0.87% TSP) was recorded in the SL958 (0.4% SA) M2 seeds followed by a content of 46.14 ± 0.64% TSP in the SL744 (0.4% SA) M2 seeds, whereas the lowest content (38.13 ± 0.81% TSP) was found in SL958 (0.6% MMS). Similar observations were recorded for the lipid and fibre content. The 0.4% SA treatment in SL958 proved to be efficient in generating the highest leaf area (tetrafoliate leaves) and a reasonable yield of M1 (the first generation after mutation) plants.