Soybean Yield Research Articles

Effect of nutrient and crop residue incorporation on yield attributes and yield of soybean

Effect of nutrient and crop residue incorporation on yield attributes and yield of soybean

Drought-Tolerant Bacteria and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Mitigate the Detrimental Effects of Drought Stress Induced by Withholding Irrigation at Critical Growth Stages of Soybean (Glycine max, L.).

Considering current global climate change, drought stress is regarded as a major problem negatively impacting the growth of soybeans, particularly at the critical stages R3 (early pod) and R5 (seed development). Microbial inoculation is regarded as an ecologically friendly and low-cost-effective strategy for helping soybean plants withstand drought stress. The present study aimed to isolate newly drought-tolerant bacteria from native soil and evaluated their potential for producing growth-promoting substances as well as understanding how these isolated bacteria along with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) could mitigate drought stress in soybean plants at critical growth stages in a field experiment. In this study, 30 Bradyrhizobium isolates and 30 rhizobacterial isolates were isolated from the soybean nodules and rhizosphere, respectively. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 was used for evaluating their tolerance to drought, and then the production of growth promotion substances was evaluated under both without/with PEG. The most effective isolates (DTB4 and DTR30) were identified genetically using 16S rRNA gene. A field experiment was conducted to study the impact of inoculation with DTB4 and DTR30 along with AMF (Glomus clarum, Funneliformis mosseae, and Gigaspora margarita) on the growth and yield of drought-stressed soybeans. Our results showed that the bioinoculant applications improved the growth traits (shoot length, root length, leaf area, and dry weight), chlorophyll content, nutrient content (N, P, and K), nodulation, and yield components (pods number, seeds weight, and grain yield) of soybean plants under drought stress (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, proline contents were decreased due to the bioinoculant applications under drought when compared to uninoculated treatments. As well as the count of bacteria, mycorrhizal colonization indices, and the activity of soil enzymes (dehydrogenase and phosphatase) were enhanced in the soybean rhizosphere under drought stress. This study's findings imply that using a mixture of bioinoculants may help soybean plants withstand drought stress, particularly during critical growth stages, and that soybean growth, productivity, and soil microbial activity were improved under drought stress.

Natural Variation in the Promoter of GmSPL9d Affects Branch Number in Soybean.

The branch number is a crucial factor that influences density tolerance and is closely associated with the yield of soybean. However, its molecular regulation mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study cloned a candidate gene GmSPL9d for regulating the soybean branch number based on the rice OsSPL14 homologous gene. Meanwhile, the genetic diversity of the GmSPL9d was analyzed using 3599 resequencing data and identified 55 SNP/InDel variations, which were categorized into seven haplotypes. Evolutionary analysis classified these haplotypes into two groups: GmSPL9d H-I and GmSPL9d H-II. Soybean varieties carrying the GmSPL9d H-II haplotype exhibited a significantly lower branch number compared with those carrying the GmSPL9d H-I haplotype. Association analysis between the variation sites and branch number phenotypes revealed a significant correlation between the promoter variations and the branch number. Promoter activity assays demonstrated that the GmSPL9d H-II promoter displayed significantly higher activity than the GmSPL9d H-I promoter. Transgenic experiments confirmed that the plants that carried the GmSPL9d H-II promoter exhibited a significantly lower branch number compared with those that carried the GmSPL9d H-I promoter. These findings indicate that the variation in the GmSPL9d promoter affected its transcription level, leading to differences in the soybean branch number. This study provides valuable molecular targets for improving the soybean plant structure.

The Role of Soil Type and Environmental Conditions in Increasing Soybean Production

Soybean stands as a critical crop globally, serving as a primary source of protein and oil. Optimizing soybean production is imperative to meet increasing demand amid evolving environmental and agronomic challenges. This qualitative analysis delves into the role of soil type and environmental conditions in enhancing soybean yield. Through a synthesis of existing literature and insights from interviews with key stakeholders, patterns and trends influencing soybean cultivation are identified. The findings underscore the complex interplay between soil properties, climatic factors, and agronomic practices in shaping soybean production dynamics. Tailored management strategies are essential for optimizing soil health, water management, and varietal selection to enhance soybean resilience and sustainability in the face of ongoing climate change and variability.

Macroscale soybean yield estimation using multi-model approach in Beed district of Maharashtra, India

This study focuses on estimating soybean crop yield in Beed district of Maharashtra following the methodology outlined by the government norms in insurance aspects. The research addresses significant weather-induced yield losses in the region and targets Revenue Circle (RC) level assessment using a multi-model approach, incorporating various models for precise yield forecasting. The achieved accuracy, measured with root mean square error (RMSE) below ±30% at the RC level, demonstrates the effectiveness of the ensemble approach. The findings highlight the utility of such models in decision-making for agricultural stakeholders, insurance companies, and government policies, especially in rainfed regions facing soybean productivity challenges under diverse climate change scenarios. Keywords: Remote sensing, GIS, Net primary productivity (NPP), Machine learning, DSSAT, Yield simulation, Revenue circle, Soybean productivity.

Effect of CaCO3, humic acid, and arbuscular mycorrhizal applications on soybean growth in ultisol of Sijunjung, West Sumatra

Soybean is an important source of cheap protein. However, an adequate supply of soybeans is still challenging in Indonesia. This research aimed to evaluate the morphological, physiological, and yield responses of soybeans from the application of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), humic acid, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). The research was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023 at the ultisol soil of Sijunjung Regency, West Sumatra. The experiment used a split-split-plot design with three replications. The first factor was AMF and without AMF application. The second factor was humic acid and without humic acid. The third factor was doses of CaCO3 application: 0, ¼, ½, ¾, and 1 time of exchangeable Al. The results showed that CaCO3 application significantly affected root length, shoot dry weight, N-tissue content, soil pH, and exchangeable Al. The application of AMF affected the percentage of AMF colonization. The yield components did not show any significant differences among treatments. However, the yield was 24.85% higher than that written in the official description. Therefore, the application of CaCO3 or humic acid or AMF could be a potential solution to increase soybean yields in ultisol. It needs further evaluation in the field to support future farming practices. Keywords: Al-exch; calcium carbonate; N-tissue content; productivity; soil pH

Урожайность масличных культур и пшеницы озимой в зависимости от содержания в чернозёме выщелоченном подвижных форм азота, фосфора и калия в стационарном полевом опыте ВНИИМК

In grain-row crop rotation, sunflower – winter wheat, castor plant – winter wheat, soybean – winter wheat in stationary field experiment in 1981– 1989, we studied contents of nitrate nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium, the degree of phosphate mobility in 0–60 cm layer of leached black soil in the spring after incorporating plant residues of cultivated crops into the soil and applying mineral fertilizers. It was revealed that the application of plant residues and mineral fertilizers in the soil increased the contents of nitrate nitrogen by 0.1–9.0 mg/kg, mobile phosphorus – by 3.7–21.9 mg/100 g, in comparison with the control, depending on culture. On average, according to the experimental variants, the soil received 7.3 t/ha of above-ground plant residues of sunflower, 5.7 t/ha of castor plants, 3.7 t/ha of soybeans, 6.5 t/ha of winter wheat after sunflower, 7.9–8.0 t/ha – after castor plants and soybeans. With plant residues after their mineralization, 42–57 kg/ha of nitrogen, 13– 26 kg/ha of phosphorus, and 30–208 kg/ha of potassium are returned to the soil. The dependence of the yield of sunflower, castor plant, soybean, and winter wheat after oil preceding crops on the contents of nitrate nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium, the degree of phosphate mobility in spring in leached black soil has been established, and regression equations have been calculated. The optimal contents of nitrate nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium, the degree of phosphate mobility in leached black soil in spring for sunflower, castor plants, soybeans, and winter wheat are shown, above which the use of fertilizers for these crops is ineffective. Sunflower, castor plants, and soybeans, as predecessors of winter wheat, have different effects on the dependence of the yield of winter wheat on the content of nitrate nitrogen, mobile phosphorus, and exchangeable potassium in the leached black soil in the spring.

Nitrous oxide emissions from soybean in response to drained and undrained soils and previous corn nitrogen management.

While corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean (Glycine max. Merr. L) is a predominant rotation system in the US Midwest the residual effect of nitrogen (N) fertilization to corn on the following year's soybean and N2O emissions under different soil drainage conditions has not been studied. Our objective was to quantify agronomic parameters and season-long N2O emissions from soybean as affected by N management (0-N and optimum N rate of 135kg N ha-1 as single or split application) during the previous corn crop under drained and undrained systems. Urea was applied to corn, and residual N effects were measured on soybean the following year in a poorly drained soil with and without subsurface tile drainage. Drainage reduced N2O emissions in one of three growing seasons but had no effect on soybean yield or N removal in grain. Nitrogen management in the previous corn crop had no effect on soybean grain yield, N removal, or N2O emissions during the soybean phase. Even though soybean symbiotically fixes N and removes more N in grain than corn, N2O emissions were more than two times greater during the corn phase (mean=1.83kg N ha-1) due to N fertilization than during the soybean phase (mean=0.80kg N ha-1). Also, N2O emissions in the corn years were increased possibly due to decomposition of the previous year's soybean crop residue compared to corn residue decomposition in the soybean years. Tile drainage, especially where wet soil conditions are prevalent, is a viable option to mitigate agricultural N2O emissions.

Co‐inoculation of Azospirillum brasilense and late nitrogen fertilization for no‐till soybean production

AbstractSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is highly efficient in the biological N2 fixation (BNF) process through the association of bacteria of the genus Bradyrhizobium in the root nodules of the plants. However, there are still doubts about the need to complement soybean N demand through N fertilization in high‐yield environments. In addition, the real impact of co‐inoculation of soybean with Azospirillum brasilense and Bradyrhizobium spp. is not yet clear in such environments. A field experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2021 with six soybean cropping seasons in a crop rotation scheme with black oat (Avena strigosa Schreb), maize (Zea mays L.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under no‐till (NT) in Southern Brazil. Soybean seeds were co‐inoculated with A. brasilense (strains Ab‐V5 and Ab‐V6) shortly after inoculation with Bradyrhizobium japonicum, and different levels of N fertilization were used in top dressing at the start of pod formation (R3). Soybean nutritional status and grain yield were not benefited by co‐inoculation with A. brasilense. Since the increased inoculum rate of A. brasilense co‐inoculated with rhizobia in soybean compromised both N nutrition and grain yield, this practice should not be encouraged. There was no need to complement soybean N demand through N fertilization during the reproductive stage. Soybean achieved grain yields of 5.0–5.7 Mg ha−1 and, even so, there was no need to complement N demand through N fertilization. The results suggest that soybean N demand in a high‐yielding environment under NT could be satisfied exclusively through the optimization of BNF.

SCAPV Creates the Possibility of Less Irrigation and Higher Productivity

In agrivoltaic (APV), photovoltaic (PV) panels are positioned above farmland to produce energy and food simultaneously. However, PV panels above farmland block most sunlight from reaching plants for photosynthesis. Plants require sunlight for photosynthesis. We proposed Spectrum-splitting and Concentrated APV (SCAPV) to address contradictions between photosynthesis and energy production simultaneously. This study examines the effect of SCAPV on the evapotranspiration and growth of peanuts and soybeans. Peanuts and soybeans were planted under SCAPV and open-air (CK) treatments, and a weather station was placed in each treatment. Results showed that evapotranspiration under SCAPV significantly decreased by 31% compared to CK. Thus, it improved physiological characterization, enhanced quality, and increased the yield of peanuts and soybeans. Peanuts' protein, fat, and linoleic acid increased by 5.54%, 0.28%, and 1.14% under SCAPV compared to CK. Fat, soluble sugar, linoleic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid of soybean were increased by 6.75%, 15.24%, 13.72%, and 15.14%, respectively, under SCAPV compared to CK. The average land equivalent ratio of SCAPV is 1.7. We trust that SCAPV could provide food and energy while reducing irritation on the same farmland.

Deep Learning for Multi-Source Data-Driven Crop Yield Prediction in Northeast China

The accurate prediction of crop yields is crucial for enhancing agricultural efficiency and ensuring food security. This study assesses the performance of the CNN-LSTM-Attention model in predicting the yields of maize, rice, and soybeans in Northeast China and compares its effectiveness with traditional models such as RF, XGBoost, and CNN. Utilizing multi-source data from 2014 to 2020, which include vegetation indices, environmental variables, and photosynthetically active parameters, our research examines the model’s capacity to capture essential spatial and temporal variations. The CNN-LSTM-Attention model integrates Convolutional Neural Networks, Long Short-Term Memory, and an attention mechanism to effectively process complex datasets and manage non-linear relationships within agricultural data. Notably, the study explores the potential of using kNDVI for predicting yields of multiple crops, highlighting its effectiveness. Our findings demonstrate that advanced deep-learning models significantly enhance yield prediction accuracy over traditional methods. We advocate for the incorporation of sophisticated deep-learning technologies in agricultural practices, which can substantially improve yield prediction accuracy and food production strategies.

A DNA demethylase reduces seed size by decreasing the DNA methylation of AT-rich transposable elements in soybean

Understanding how to increase soybean yield is crucial for global food security. The genetic and epigenetic factors influencing seed size, a major crop yield determinant, are not fully understood. We explore the role of DNA demethylase GmDMEa in soybean seed size. Our research indicates that GmDMEa negatively correlates with soybean seed size. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we edited GmDMEa in the Dongnong soybean cultivar, known for small seeds. Modified plants had larger seeds and greater yields without altering plant architecture or seed nutrition. GmDMEa preferentially demethylates AT-rich transposable elements, thus activating genes and transcription factors associated with the abscisic acid pathway, which typically decreases seed size. Chromosomal substitution lines confirm that these modifications are inheritable, suggesting a stable epigenetic method to boost seed size in future breeding. Our findings provide insights into epigenetic seed size control and suggest a strategy for improving crop yields through the epigenetic regulation of crucial genes. This work implies that targeted epigenetic modification has practical agricultural applications, potentially enhancing food production without compromising crop quality.

Nano molybdenum trioxide-mediated enhancement of soybean yield through improvement of rhizosphere soil molybdenum bioavailability for nitrogen-fixing microbial recruitment

Molybdenum (Mo) plays a pivotal role in the growth and nitrogen-fixing process of plants mediated by rhizobia. However, the influence of nano‑molybdenum trioxide (MoO3NPs) on soybean growth, rhizosphere bioavailable Mo, and nitrogen-fixing microorganisms remains underexplored. Here, we report that compared with that of ionic Mo and bulk MoO3, the utilization of MoO3NPs (specifically NPs0.05 and NPs0.15) significantly boosted the available Mo content in the rhizosphere soil throughout the seedling (by 21.64 %–101.38 %), podding (by 54.44 %–68.89 %), and mature stage (by 34.41 %–to 45.71 %) of soybean growth. Furthermore, both NPs0.05 and NPs0.15 treatments maintained consistently higher levels of acid-extractable Mo, reducible Mo, and oxidizable Mo across these stages, which facilitated stable conversion and supply of bioavailable Mo. Within the rhizosphere soil, NPs0.05 and NPs0.15 treatments resulted in the highest relative abundance of Rhizobiales and Bradyrhizobium genera, and significantly promoted the colonization of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, thereby increasing the content of nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N) by 8.69 % and 7.72 % and ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) by 44.75 % and 17.55 %, respectively. Ultimately, these effects together contributed to 107.17 % and 84.00 % increment in soybean yield by NPs0.05 and NPs0.15 treatments, respectively. In summary, our findings underscore the potential of employing MoO3NPs to promote plant growth and maintain soil nitrogen cycling, indicating distinct advantages of MoO3NPs over ionic Mo and bulk MoO3.

Management of Soybean Cyst Nematode and Sudden Death Syndrome with Nematode-Protectant Seed Treatments Across Multiple Environments in Soybean.

As soybean (Glycine max) production continues to expand in the United States and Canada, so do pathogens and pests that directly threaten soybean yield potential and economic returns for farmers. One such pathogen is the soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines). SCN has traditionally been managed using SCN-resistant cultivars and rotation with nonhost crops, but the interaction of SCN with sudden death syndrome (SDS; caused by Fusarium virguliforme) in the field makes management more difficult. Nematode-protectant seed treatments have become options for SCN and SDS management. The objectives of this study were to evaluate nematode-protectant seed treatments for their effects on (i) early and full season SCN reproduction, (ii) foliar symptoms and root-rot caused by SDS, and (iii) soybean yield across environments accounting for the above factors. Using a standard protocol, field trials were implemented in 13 states and one Canadian province from 2019 to 2021 constituting 51 site-years. Six nematode-protectant seed treatment products were compared with a fungicide + insecticide base treatment and a nontreated check. Initial (at soybean planting) and final (at soybean harvest) SCN egg populations were enumerated, and SCN females were extracted from roots and counted at 30 to 35 days postplanting. Foliar disease index (FDX) and root rot caused by the SDS pathogen were evaluated, and yield data were collected for each plot. No seed treatment offered significant nematode control versus the nontreated check for in-season and full-season nematode response, no matter the initial SCN population or FDX level. Of all treatments, ILEVO (fluopyram) and Saltro (pydiflumetofen) provided more consistent increases in yield over the nontreated check in a broader range of SCN environments, even when FDX level was high.

Molybdenum oxide nanoparticles improve soybean yield and enhance nutritional quality

Molybdenum oxide nanoparticles (NPMo) is a novel clean molybdenum source fertilizer known for enhancing grain yield in agricultural crops, including soybean. However, the impact of NPMo application on soybean's nutritional quality remains unclear. To investigate, a potted plant experiment compared soybeans response to three molybdenum sources (NPMo, bulk molybdenum trioxide (BMo), and ammonium molybdate (IMo)), focusing on mineral, fatty acid, and amino acid contents. The results showed that Mo application could improve yield of soybean, as supported by the increased index of yield composition. Further study showed that Mo application increased the concentrations of macronutrients and micronutrients by improve root traits and nodule number. In addition, Mo application optimized the composition of fatty acid by improving polyunsaturated fatty acids via the increased contents of linoleic, linolenic acid and decreased oleic acid in soybean seed. The essential amino acid (EAA) and total amino acid (TAA) content of seeds in soybean-treated with IMo and BMo was higher than that in NPMo treatment, but the EAA/TAA ratio of amino acid in IMo and BMo treatment was lower than that in NPMo treatment, indicating that more bioavailability of seeds in NPMo treatment and this was verified by the higher value of essential amino acid index and biomass value in NPMo treatment. The study finally suggested that NPMo fertilizer increased yield and nutritional quality of soybean.

Impact of combined organic amendments and chemical fertilizers on soil microbial limitations, soil quality, and soybean yield

Impact of combined organic amendments and chemical fertilizers on soil microbial limitations, soil quality, and soybean yield

Identification of soybean mosaic virus strain SC7 resistance loci and candidate genes in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is an important legume crop worldwide, which provides abundant plant protein and oil for human beings. Soybean mosaic virus (SMV) can cause serious damage to the yield and quality of soybean, but it is difficult to control SMV with chemicals, breeding SMV-resistant varieties has become the most effective way to control the disease. Therefore, it is important to identify SMV resistance genes from soybean resources and apply them to soybean breeding. In this study, the disease rates (DRs) of 219 soybean accessions to SMV strain SC7 in two environments were investigated. A high-density NJAU 355K SoySNP array was used for genome-wide association study (GWAS) of DR. A 274kb region on chromosome 15 (1,110,567bp to 1,384,173bp) was repeatedly detected in two environments. Six new significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on chromosome 15 were identified. Four of these six SNPs were located within two candidate genes, Glyma.15G015700 and Glyma.15G015800. The elite haplotype Glyma.15G015700Hap I with low DR exhibited strong resistance to SC7. The expression of Glyma.15G015700 in the SMV-resistant accession increased significantly after inoculation with SC7. Furthermore, most of the proteins predicted to interact with Glyma.15G015700 are heat shock proteins, which have been shown to be related to disease resistance. In summary, new SMV resistance loci and a new candidate gene, Glyma.15G015700, were identified and might be utilized in further soybean disease resistance breeding.

Determination of Critical Periods of Soybean cv. Dema 2 Against Weeds in The Dry Season

Weed control by weeding is the safest alternative but requires a lot of labor and costs. Therefore, knowledge about the critical period for soybean plants against weeds is necessary so that weeding can be done timely and efficiently. This study aimed to determine the effect of weeding time on the growth and yield of soybean and critical period to weeds. The study was conducted in Mekarjaya Village, Gantar District, Indramayu Regency, from September to December 2023. The experimental design was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments tested were the time of weeding which consisted of nine levels: weeds free, weeding at 3 weeks after planting (WAP), weeding at 4 WAP, weeding at 5 WAP, weeding at 6 WAP, weeding at 7 WAP, weeding at 8 WAP, B9 = not weeded. All treatments were repeated three time. The results showed that the time of weeding treatment had no significant effect on growth component but had a significant effect to yield components and yield of soybean. The time of weeding treatment showed that the critical period for soybean cultivar Dena 2 occurred at 0-9 WAP with a yield loss due to weed competition of 8.87% to 27%.

A Review of Factors Affecting Pod Shattering in Soybean (Glycine max)

Soybean is an important crop in the world cultivated for its oil and protein content. It is a significant component of the small holder cropping system and has the potential to become a major crop produced in Africa. However, its productivity is hampered by a number of biotic and abiotic factors. Among the important biotic factors affecting the yield of soybean is pod shattering. Pod shattering is the opening of mature pods along the dorsal or ventral sutures (located along the length of the pod) when the crop matures or during harvesting resulting in seed dispersal. It is a quantitative trait that is influenced by one major gene and a few minor genes and is also highly heritable. It can cause yield losses of up to100%. Apart from causing yield losses, pod shattering may pose a challenge to the crop rotations in the following seasons as seeds from shattered pods tend to emerge as volunteer weeds. There are a number of factors that are linked to pod shattering. An overview of the morphological, anatomical, environmental and genetic aspects associated with pod shattering in soybean is discussed in this review. Understanding all the factors underlying pod shattering in depth is key in breeding soybean varieties that delay to shatter. This can help breeders in knowing which approach to take in breeding for soybeans with pods that delay to shatter. Breeding strategies can focus on manipulating morphological, biochemical and anatomical traits.

Farmland mulching and optimized irrigation increase water productivity and seed yield by regulating functional parameters of soybean (Glycine max L.) leaves

In both arid and semi-arid regions, adopting field mulching can effectively optimize soil moisture distribution, enhance crop yields, and improve water productivity. While acknowledging its advantages, field mulching seems insufficient for maintaining high crop productivity due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather. Furthermore, drought often coincides with critical crop growth stages, necessitating the implementation of agricultural irrigation to ensure normal crop growth. Accordingly, we conducted a three-year field experiment from 2021 to 2023 including three typical field mulching methods (no mulching, NM; straw mulching, SM; plastic film mulching, FM) and three supplementary irrigation strategies (irrigated at the branching stage (V4), W1; irrigated at the pod-filling stage (R2), W2; irrigated at both the V4 and R2 stage, W3). Throughout the entire growth period, we monitored soil moisture conditions for each treatment, measured leaf physiological parameters at crucial growth stages, and assessed soybean yields and water productivity (WP). Our findings indicated that, relative to SM and NM, FM maintains optimal soil moisture balance, augments chlorophyll content, and enhances photosynthesis, resulting in an average yield increase of 17.0% and 38.3% over three growing seasons. Additionally, supplementary irrigation also significantly affects the growth and seed yield of soybean. FMW2 achieved the higher seed yield (4307.5 kg ha−1, 3-year averaged), had insignificant difference with the highest seed yield of 4568.6 kg ha−1, both significantly higher than other treatments. Similarly, the leaf area index, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and transpiration rate (Tr) also presented insignificant difference between FMW2 and FMW3, while WUEleaf (Pn/Tr) of FMW2 obviously higher than that of FMW3. As a result, FMW2 achieved the highest WP of 12.2 kg ha−1 mm−1 over the three growing seasons, compared to the three-year average of the other treatments, the increase ranges from 5.6% to 46.7%. In summary, the FMW2 treatment optimized water distribution to meet the water demands of soybeans during the reproductive growth stages, achieving a beneficial balance between soybean seed production and WP by regulating leaf functional parameters. Future research will explore more specific irrigation scheduling techniques (e.g., precision irrigation, deficit irrigation, and sensor-based irrigation management systems) while integrating innovative agricultural film materials (e.g., biodegradable films) to further enhance crop resilience and productivity under evolving climatic conditions.