Soybean Growth Research Articles

Metabolic pathways regulated by strigolactones foliar spraying enhance osmoregulation and antioxidant defense in drought-prone soybean

BackgroundDrought stress is a significant abiotic stressor that hinders growth, development, and crop yield in soybeans. Strigolactones (SLs) positively regulate plant resistance to drought stress. However, the impact of foliar application of SLs having different concentrations on soybean growth and metabolic pathways related to osmoregulation remains unknown. Therefore, to clarify the impact of SLs on soybean root growth and cellular osmoregulation under drought stress, we initially identified optimal concentrations and assessed key leaf and root indices. Furthermore, we conducted transcriptomic and metabolic analyses to identify differential metabolites and up-regulated genes.ResultsThe results demonstrated that drought stress had a significant impact on soybean biomass, root length, root surface area, water content and photosynthetic parameters. However, when SLs were applied through foliar application at appropriate concentrations, the accumulation of ABA and soluble protein increased, which enhanced drought tolerance of soybean seedlings by regulating osmotic balance, protecting membrane integrity, photosynthesis and activating ROS scavenging system. This also led to an increase in soybean root length, lateral root number and root surface area. Furthermore, the effects of different concentrations of SLs on soybean leaves and roots were found to be time-sensitive. However, the application of 0.5 µM SLs had the greatest beneficial impact on soybean growth and root morphogenesis under drought stress. A total of 368 differential metabolites were screened in drought and drought plus SLs treatments. The up-regulated genes were mainly involved in nitrogen compound utilization, and the down-regulated metabolic pathways were mainly involved in maintaining cellular osmoregulation and antioxidant defenses.ConclusionsSLs enhance osmoregulation in soybean plants under drought stress by regulating key metabolic pathways including Arachidonic acid metabolism, Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Linoleic acid metabolism, and Flavone and flavonol biosynthesis. This study contributes to the theoretical understanding of improving soybean adaptability and survival in response to drought stress.

Characterization of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria and Their Benefits on Soybean Growth

Background: Soybean is the most important legume in the world and its seeds contains 40% protein and 20% oil. In recent years, more attention has been paid to the use of plant growth-promoting (PGP) rhizobacteria as a biofertilizer alternative to chemical fertilizers, which may pose risks to the environment. The rhizobia inoculation of soybean is a sustainable practice to induce atmospheric nitrogen fixation and subsequently improve crop productivity and soil fertility. Methods: In this study, 19 indigenous rhizobia isolated from soybean were tested in vitro for their plant growth-promoting properties (PGPR), while genotypic characterization included sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Result: Morphological characterisation has shown that all of the isolates were rod-shaped gram negative bacteria. The sequencing has shown that 12 out of 19 isolates belong to the genus Pseudomonas, four of which belong to P. fluorescens species. Isolates which belong to the Pseudomonas genus have shown the highest ability of indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, phosphorous solubilization and along with isolates SGN6, SGN7 and SGS4 (Sphingomonas sanguinis) potassium solubilisation too. All the isolates from Pseudomonas genus as well as those belonging to B. japonicum species have shown the protease synthesis abilities while amylase synthesis abilities was observed only in the isolate SAK2 (P. chlororaphis). The most efficient strains in in vitro biological nitrogen fixation assay belong to Pseudomonas and Rhizobium genera. Most of the isolates were positive to the organic acid production while all of them have shown the ability of the exopolysaccharide production.

Respon Tanaman Kedelai Edamame (Glycine Max (L.) Merr.) Terhadap Pemberian Dolomit Dan Pupuk Hayati Majemuk Pada Tanah Gambut

Edamame soybeans are soybeans that are harvested young, so they are known as green soybeans. The high nutritional content and delicious taste make edamame soybeans popular with the public. Extensification is one effort that can be done to increase edamame soybean production. One type of soil that has the potential to expand edamame soybean plants is peat soil. This research aims to examine the response of edamame soybean plants to the application of dolomite and compound biofertilizer on peat soil. The experiment was carried out using a two-factor factorial Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications. The first factor, namely dolomite (0, 15, 30, and 45 g polybag-1) and the second factor, namely biological fertilizer (0, 5, 10, and 15 g kg-1 seed). The results of the study showed that the influence of the interaction between dolomite and compound biofertilizer as well as the single factor of compound biofertilizer had no significant effect on the growth and yield of edamame soybeans. Edamame soybean plants are responsive to dolomite. The highest number of plant seeds was obtained when administering dolomite at a dose of 30 or 45 g polybag-1, namely 29.50-32.25 seeds plant-1.

Elevated CO2 concentration enhances plant growth, photosynthesis, and ion homeostasis of soybean under salt-alkaline stress

Salt-alkaline stress adversely affects growth and productivity of soybean. In the event of global climate change, the effects of elevated CO2 concentration (eCO2) and salt-alkaline stress on soybean remain unclear. This study investigated the combined effects of elevated CO2 concentration (700 μmol·moL−1) and salt-alkaline stress on soybean growth, gas exchange, pigments profiles, antioxidative enzyme activities, osmolyte accumulation, Na+ and K+ contents, and genes involved in ion homeostasis. This study suggested that eCO2 improved plant physiological performance due to the greater net photosynthetic rate (+212.49 %) and water use efficiency (+92.86 %). Both salt-alkaline stress and eCO2 significantly increased catalase (CAT) activity in leaves and stems, significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in stems, and significantly increased peroxidase (POD) activity in whole plants of soybean. eCO2 significantly inhibited Na+ absorption as indicated by decreased Na+ contents in whole plants under salt-alkaline stress accompanied by lower relative electrical conductivity, thus reducing osmotic and ionic stress. eCO2 induced enhancement of expressions of gene encoding the ion transporter of GmHKT1;2, GmHKT1;5, GmHKT1;6, GmNHX5, and GmSOS1 in stems mediated Na+ and K+ transport, thus benefiting to keep ions homeostasis. These results suggest that eCO2 contributes to enhancing soybean tolerance to saline-alkaline stress.

Impact of reduced rates of tiafenacil at vegetative growth stages on soybean growth and yield

Abstract Tiafenacil is a new non-selective protoporphyrinogen IX oxidase (PPO)-inhibiting herbicide with both grass and broadleaf activity labeled for preplant application to corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Early-season soybean emergence and growth often coincide in the U.S. Midsouth with preplant herbicide application in later-planted cotton and soybean, thereby increasing opportunity for off-target herbicide movement from adjacent fields. Field studies were conducted in 2022 to identify any deleterious impacts of reduced rates of tiafenacil (12.5% to 0.4% of the lowest labeled application rate of 24.64 g ai ha−1) applied to 1- to 2-leaf soybean. Visual injury at 1 wk after treatment (WAT) with 1/8×, 1/16×, 1/32×, and 1/64× rate of tiafenacil was 80%, 61%, 39%, and 21%, while at 4 WAT, these respective rates resulted in visual injury of 67%, 33%, 14%, and 4%. Tiafenacil at these respective rates reduced soybean height 55% to 2% and 53% to 5% at 1 and 4 WAT and soybean yield 53%, 24%, 5%, and 1%. Application of tiafenacil directly adjacent to soybean in early vegetative growth should be avoided, as severe visual injury will occur. In cases where off-target movement does occur, impacted soybean should not be expected to fully recover, and negative impact on growth and yield will be observed.

Crystal structure and function of a phosphate starvation responsive protein phosphatase, GmHAD1-2 regulating soybean root development and flavonoid metabolism.

Phosphate (Pi) availability is well known to regulate plant root growth. However, it remains largely unknown how flavonoid synthesis participates in affecting plant root growth in response to Pi starvation. In the study, the crystal structure of a plant protein phosphatase, GmHAD1-2, was dissected using X-ray crystallography for the first time. It was revealed that GmHAD1-2 contained a modified Rossmannoid class of α/β folds with three layered α/β sandwich. Transcripts of GmHAD1-2 were increased by Pi starvation in soybean roots, especially in lateral root tips. GmHAD1-2 suppression or overexpression significantly influenced soybean lateral root length and number, as well as phosphorus (P) content. Furthermore, GmHAD1-2 was found to interact with a chalcone reductase, GmCHR1. Suppression of GmHAD1-2 significantly changed the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway in soybean roots. Taken together, the results highlight that GmHAD1-2 can regulate soybean root growth by influencing flavonoid metabolism.

Effect of Twin-row Cultivation on Growth, Yield, and Light-intercepting Characteristics of Soybean in Full-scale Cultivation

Effect of Twin-row Cultivation on Growth, Yield, and Light-intercepting Characteristics of Soybean in Full-scale Cultivation

Assessing the combined impacts of microplastics and nickel oxide nanomaterials on soybean growth and nitrogen fixation potential

The excessive presence of polystyrene microplastic (PS-MPx) and nickel oxide nanomaterials (NiO-NPs) in agriculture ecosystem have gained serious attention about their effect on the legume root-nodule symbiosis and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). However, the impact of these contaminants on the root-nodule symbiosis and biological N2-fixation have been largely overlooked. The current findings highlighted that NiO-NMs at 50 mg kg−1 improved nodule formation and N2-fixation potential, leading to enhanced N2 uptake by both roots and shoots, resulting in increased plant growth and development. While single exposure of PS-MPx (500 mg kg−1) significantly reduced the photosynthetic pigment (8–14 %), phytohormones (9–25 %), nodules biomass (24 %), N2-related enzymes (12–17 %) that ultimately affected the N2-fixation potential. Besides, co-exposure of MPx and NiO at 100 mg kg−1 altered the nodule morphology. Additionally, single and co-exposure of MPx and NiO-NMs at 100 mg kg−1 reduced the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadota, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes is associated with N2-cycling and N2-fixation potential. The findings of this study will contribute to understanding the potential risks posed by MPx and NiO-NMs to leguminous crops in the soil environment and provide scientific insights into the soybean N2-fixation potential.

Investigating the effects of a novel herbicide active ingredient on soybean growth and yield

Investigating the effects of a novel herbicide active ingredient on soybean growth and yield

Multi-functional PGPR Serratia liquefaciens confers enhanced resistance to lead stress and bacterial blight in soybean (Glycine max L.)

Lead toxicity and bacterial blight disease caused by Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. glycinea have destructive impacts on soybean growth and productivity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria have been used as an eco-friendly approach for augmenting crop growth and stress resistance. The current study investigated the efficacy of Serratia liquefaciens ZM6 strain in enhancing soybean resistance to lead (Pb) stress and bacterial blight. Two pot experiments were performed. In the first pot experiment, soybean plants were inoculated with S. liquefaciens ZM6 and grown under variable Pb stress levels (0, 200 and 400µM of Pb(NO3)2). In the second experiment, S. liquefaciens-inoculated soybean plants were infected with P. savastanoi pv. glycinea, and disease severity was assessed two weeks post infection. The results revealed that S. liquefaciens strain resisted Pb stress up to 400µM Pb(NO3)2 and exhibited the highest levels of solubilized phosphate, solubilized zinc, siderophore, indole acetic acid, exopolysaccharide, trehalose and antioxidant enzymes at 400µM Pb compared to the other treatments. Moreover, Pb stress (200 and 400µM) significantly decreased the growth, yield, nutrient uptake, gas exchange, and contents of chlorophyll, soluble proteins, sugars, and phenolics of soybean plants. Pb stress also induced the levels of proline, glycine betaine, Pb, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes, ascorbate, glutathione and expression of stress-responsive genes (CAT, APX, POD, Fe-SOD, CHS7, CHI1A, PAL, IFS2, P5CS and WRKY54) in soybean plants. On the other hand, S. liquefaciens application markedly boosted the growth, yield and levels of nutrients, gas-exchange, chlorophyll, osmolytes, antioxidant enzymes and expression of stress-tolerant genes of Pb-stressed soybean plants. The bacterial inoculation significantly diminished oxidative stress indicators and Pb content in stressed plants. Inoculation of soybean plants with S. liquefaciens also caused significant reductions in blight disease symptoms in P. savastanoi pv. glycinea-infected plants, indicating the efficiency of this strain in controlling harmful blight disease. Overall, this study demonstrated S. liquefaciens ZM6 effectiveness in enhancing soybean resistance to Pb stress and bacterial blight.

Surface liming combined with the use of monoammonium phosphate and elemental sulphur in a no‐till wheat–soybean cropping system

AbstractTropical and subtropical soils typically have high acidity and limited nutrient availability. Surface liming under no‐till systems ameliorates topsoil acidity in the short term, but it is generally slow to neutralize subsoil acidity. A field experiment was conducted in the period from 2016 to 2021 in Parana State, Brazil, on a loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Typic Hapludox to evaluate the effects of surface application of lime combined with the use of monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and elemental S on soil acidity, root growth, plant nutrition and grain yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and soybean (Glycine max. [L.] Merr.) under no‐till. Treatments consisted of a control (no amendments), surface lime (SL), SL + MAP and SL + MAP + elemental S. Applying lime to the soil surface increased soil pH, exchangeable Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents and base saturation, as well as reducing Al3+ content and Al3+ saturation throughout the soil profile. Such effects were more pronounced in the 0–10 cm layer and occurred to a lesser extent in the 10–100 cm layers. The addition of MAP or MAP + elemental S did not improve the effectiveness of surface liming in alleviating soil acidity throughout the soil profile. The root length per soil surface area to a depth of 100 cm exhibited a strong correlation with wheat yield, but not with soybean yield. Surface liming increased wheat yield by 40% and when lime application was combined with MAP + elemental S, the increase in wheat yield reached 74%. Surface liming resulted in a 36% increase in soybean yield, regardless of the use of MAP and elemental S. Thus, surface application of lime was effective in reducing soil acidity to a 100‐cm depth, regardless of fertilizer application with MAP and MAP + elemental S. The improving effects of surface liming had a more favourable impact on wheat root growth than on soybean root growth, probably because wheat was more affected than soybean by insufficient rainfall during the crop development cycle. Wheat showed a greater yield response to P and S fertilizer application than soybean.

Effect of fertilizer, bio-inoculant and liquid micronutrient on growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.)

Effect of fertilizer, bio-inoculant and liquid micronutrient on growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.)

Bidirectional uptake and redistribution, bio-stimuli responsive xyloglucan-based nanodelivery system for enhanced translocation of non-systemic pesticide in soybean plants

Non-systemic pesticides, like fludioxonil, have the advantages of broad-spectrum and fast-acting, but the limited space of action restricts their effectiveness. This study proposed a nano-delivery strategy (Flu@EXG) by loading fludioxonil on aminated xyloglucan-based nanoparticles (EXG) to enhance the systematicity of fludioxonil in vivo and consequently achieve systemic defense against soybean diseases. The resulting Flu@EXG had an average diameter of 75.6 nm and exhibited responsive release properties to dual-stimuli of hemicellulases and pH value. The combined measurements of target dose and efficacy demonstrated that the Flu@EXG achieved bi-directional uptake and redistribution of fludioxonil, consequently inhibiting both Phytophthora sojae in roots and Botrytis cinerea on leaves meanwhile with a single application method (root irrigation or foliar spraying) in soybean. In contrast, fludioxonil commercial suspensions (Flu SC) hardly reached the roots to control root diseases when applied to foliage. Additionally, the direct inhibition of Flu@EXG against oomycetes was 2.0 times higher than Flu SC at high test concentrations as EXG could directly provide additional membrane damage. Finally, Flu@EXG provided comparable foliar performance to Flu SC and do not affect the growth of soybeans during the test cycle. Thus, the bio-stimuli responsive Flu@EXG nanodelivery system has promising for achieving the systemic prevention by overcoming the spatial and temporal limitations of non-systemic pesticide application, providing new perspectives and technologies for prompting sustainable development of agriculture.

Biocontrol Potential of Bacillus strains against soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) and for promotion of soybean growth

The soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines) is the most yield-limiting pathogen in soybeans worldwide. Using chemical pesticides to control this disease is harmful to human and environment. It is urgent to develop environment-friendly nematicides. The aim of this study was to discover novel biocontrol agents on H. glycines control and soybean growth under greenhouse and field conditions Eight Bacillus strains were isolated from soil rhizosphere soils and the stability and efficiency of H. glycines was assessed in greenhouse and field experiments in 2021 and 2022. In particular, the Ba2-6 strain had the highest potential, because it was a biocontrol agent against H. glycines shown to cause 93.85% juvenile mortality. Furthermore, strains Ba 1–7, Ba2-4, and Ba2-6 effectively reduced the number of females and improved the soybean seed number per plant. Based on their morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular (16 S rRNA) characteristics, the three strains were identified as B. aryabhattai (Ba1-7), B. megatherium (Ba2-4), and B. halotolerans (Ba2-6). The ability of Ba2-6 to induce systemic resistance to H. glycines in soybeans was investigated by the split-root system and real-time quantitative PCR experiments. The results indicated that the Ba2-6 strain induced systemic resistance to suppress the penetration of H. glycines, and enhanced gene expression of PR1, PR3a, PR5, and NPR1-2, involved in the salicylic acid and jasmonic acid pathways. The study suggests that the strains of B. aryabhattai Ba1-7, B. megatherium Ba2-4, and B. halotolerans Ba2-6 can be considered as effective biocontrol agents to control H. glycines. Further, B. halotolerans Ba2-6 not only promotes soybean growth but also enhances resistance to H. glycines by regulating defense-related gene expression and inducing systemic resistance in soybean.

Prothioconazole Stress Reduces Bacterial Richness and Alters Enzyme Activity in Soybean Rhizosphere.

Prothioconazole (PTC) is currently a popular triazole fungicide. In recent years, as the use of PTC has increased, there has been growing concern about its environmental and toxicological effects. Here, we studied the effect of PTC on the growth of soybean plants and further analyzed the enzyme activity and microbial community of rhizosphere soil after PTC treatment through 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and fungal ITS. Changes in structural diversity and species richness were measured using Simpson's diversity index, Shannon's diversity index and the Chao1 and ACE algorithms. The statistical t-test was applied to test whether the index values were significantly different between the two groups. The results showed that the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 increased after the recommended dose of PTC, indicating that PTC has a strong toxic effect on plant growth, thus affecting the healthy growth of plants. In the presence of PTC, the species richness of fungi and bacteria decreased in all three soil types (black soil, yellow earth and red earth), and the community structure also changed significantly (the p-values were all less than 0.05). Proteobacteria, Actinomycetota, Bacteroidota and Acidobacteriota were the main bacteria, and the abundance of Acidobacteriota and Chloroflexi increased. The dominant fungal communities were Ascomycota and Mortierellomycota. The increased abundance of potentially beneficial microorganisms, such as Sphingomonadaceae, suggested that plants may be resistant to PTC stress by recruiting beneficial microorganisms. PICRUSt analysis showed that the metabolism-related functions and membrane transport pathway of rhizosphere bacterial community were inhibited after PTC stress. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a weak correlation between key fungal taxa and rhizosphere variables in the presence of PTC. Therefore, compared with those in the fungal community, the bacterial community was more likely to help plants resist PTC stress, indicating that these key fungal groups may indirectly help soybean growth under PTC stress by affecting the bacterial community.

Enhanced Soybean Growth and the Associated Ion Balance, Nutrient Accumulation, and Rhizosphere Bacterial Community When Intercropped with Suaeda salsa in Saline Soils

Halophyte-based desalinization is emerging as a promising technology for saline agriculture. However, few studies have integrated halophytes into intercropping systems. This study investigated Suaeda salsa and soybean intercropping and the associated mechanisms, including changes in salt, nutrients, and bacterial communities at three salt treatments (control, 3‰, and 5‰). The results showed that regardless of salt treatment, soybean biomass and P content significantly increased in intercropping compared with monocropping, by an average of 32% and 51%, respectively (p < 0.05), indicating interspecific facilitation. Under 5‰ salt, soybean mortality decreased from 37% in monocropping to 10% in intercropping, and shoot Na decreased by over 60% in intercropping; the rhizosphere Na+, Cl−, and NO3−–N decreased in intercropping by over 75% compared with monocropping, and the response ratios correlated negatively with S. salsa biomass (p < 0.01). The soybean rhizosphere bacterial community in intercropping was enriched with the genera Sphingomonas, Salinimicrobium, Lysobacter, Allorhizobium–Neorhizobium–Pararhizobium–Rhizobium, and Ramlibacter, and the bacterial co-occurrence network exhibited increases in the number of nodes and edges, average degree, and average clustering coefficient. Considering the combined effects, the soybean biomass of intercropping correlated positively with bacterial co-occurrence network parameters, including average degree and number of edges, independent of tissue salt and nutrient content, and that of monocropping correlated negatively with tissue salt content. These results demonstrate that S. salsa intercropping could alleviate salt stress in soybean by creating a low-salt environment and improving its nutrient accumulation and rhizosphere bacterial community, and emphasize the importance of microbial communities in influencing soybean growth.

Effects of depressions and drainage systems on soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) growth during the early growth stages under excess water stress conditions

ABSTRACT Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) productivity is severely compromised under conditions of excess water, particularly during the early growth stages. Depressions in converted paddy fields are believed to significantly contribute to excess water stress. Farmers typically use drainage systems, such as field ditches and pipe drains to improve field drainage. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impacts of depressions and drainage systems on soybean growth during the early growth stages in farming fields. Using uncrewed aerial vehicles and imaging processing software, we observed the soybean coverage ratio at two and four weeks after sowing. We analyzed the relationship between the coverage ratio and depression depth, distance from field ditches, and distance from pipe drains. Depressions deeper than 2 cm were present in all study fields, and the coverage ratio increase from 2 to 4 weeks after sowing was negatively correlated with depression depth. Although the distance from pipe drains was negatively related to the coverage ratio increase, the distance from field ditches had a limited effect. The construction of pipe drains significantly improved the coverage ratio increase, particularly in areas with deep depressions and near pipe drains, by up to 23.0 times in this study. Therefore, constructing pipe drains near depressions is an effective way to mitigate the impact of depressions and excess water stress on soybean growth during the early stages. Our results will be useful for developing strategies to improve drainage and soybean growth during early growth stages.

Critical Periods for Waterlogging Effects on Yield and Grain Components in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus), Soybean (Glycine max) and Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor): A Comparative Study

ABSTRACTWaterlogging affects a high proportion of cultivated land worldwide. Sunflower, soybean and sorghum growth and yield can be affected differently depending on the moment and duration of waterlogging stress. If stress conditions occur during the critical period for yield potential definition (flowering in, sunflower and sorghum and end of pod formation in soybean) they directly reduce grain number, but if the stress occurs during the grain‐filling period, grain weight would be affected. The aim of this study focuses on determining the effects of the moment and duration of waterlogging stress on the yield and its components in sunflower, soybean and sorghum. This information will be useful to understand the effects of waterlogging on yield and to choose a suitable crop or sowing date based on predicted weather conditions for a certain place. To achieve this objective, four experiments were conducted at the Experimental Station of INTA (Reconquista, Santa Fe, Argentina). The effect of the waterlogging in terms of moment (vegetative, critical and grain‐filling periods) and duration (3, 7 and 10 days) on the three crops was evaluated. Sunflower expressed the most negative impact of waterlogging during the vegetative stages (26, 78 and 98% of yield losses with 3, 7 and 10 days, respectively) while soybean suffered major reductions when the stress occurred during the critical period (5%–17% of yield loses). Sorghum did not express any negative responses for the moments and durations tested. This study suggests that the critical period for a waterlogging event differs, according to crops, from the critical period cited for other stresses. Moreover, the magnitude of the damage will mainly depend on the duration of the event. Further studies are needed to elucidate different physiological responses of the species during waterlogging stress.

A Holistic Approach to the Selection of Soybean (Glycine max) Cultivars for Shade Environments Based on Morphological, Yield and Genetic Traits

ABSTRACTThe reduction of photosynthetically active radiation impacts the growth and productivity of soybean in agroforestry and intercropping systems. Thus, this report explored the responses of 16 soybean cultivars submitted to shade levels in field conditions. Multi‐faceted and relative importance analyses revealed that the steam diameter and plant height are fundamental morphological markers for selecting shade‐resilient cultivars, both were high and positively correlated to yield components. Moreover, the responses to shade varied among soybean cultivars, with certain genotypes demonstrating distinct tolerance levels, which allowed also the estimative of genetic variance that revealed strong participation of genetic components in responses to shade. Multivariate and clustering analysis using steam diameter and plant height in combination with two yield components resulted in the identification of four soybean cultivars more tolerant to shade environments and two sensible. Therefore, this report provides insights into soybean cultivation under varying light conditions, provides a robust foundation for the integration of morphological and yield markers in breeding programmes focused on shade tolerance and guides future endeavours in crop improvement for optimal and sustainable yield and resilience in the climate change context.

Effect of Novel Biostimulants on Performance of Black Gram and Soybean in Peninsular India

ABSTRACT The objective of modern agriculture includes environmental sustainability, low production costs, and higher productivity. Biostimulants are composed of humic acids, hormones, algae extracts, plant growth-promoting bacteria, amino acids, and a chain of peptides. Black gram and soybean crops are of immense economic significance. The growth and yield of these crops are limited by supply of nutrients. The potentiation of the early growth of plants by treating seeds with these substances has been one of the adopted alternatives, which often promote physiological changes that stimulate growth. The field experiment was conducted with randomized complete block design and replicated four times. Effects of different biostimulants at different concentrations as foliar spray and seed treatment were examined on growth, yield parameters, and yield of black gram (TAU-1) and soybean (JS-335) during kharif 2020 and 2021. Results showed that foliar application of Quantis biostimulant @ 5 ml L−1 recorded higher growth, yield parameters, and seed yield (897 kg ha−1), biological yield (1209 kg ha−1), production efficiency (13.00 kg day−1 ha−1) in black gram and seed treatment with Epivio Energy @ 2 ml kg−1 fetched higher seed yield (1403 kg ha−1), biological yield (2914 kg ha−1), production efficiency (16.13 kg day−1 ha−1) along with higher growth and yield parameters in soybean. It can be concluded that they will help in achieving higher growth and yield of black gram and soybean.