Soybean pod wall P and K as related to extractable P and K and grain yield

Abstract

It was proposed that the pod wall surrounding the developing soybean seed (growth stage R6) could serve as a diagnostic indicator of crop nutritional status. This was evaluated by summarizing soybean responses (R1 trifoliate and R6 pod wall P and K concentrations, and yield) to various levels of soil P and K availability in ten field experiments. Pod wall P and K concentrations were closely related to available soil P (Bray P₁) and K (MNH₄C₂H₃O₂‐pH 7.0), respectively. The relationship of pod wall P concentration to grain yield was superior to those found when either trifoliate leaf P or available soil P was related to grain yield. Pod wall K was similarly superior to leaf K or available soil K. Though further work is needed to describe changes in pod wall composition during grain‐fill, it appears that pod wall sampling offers an alternative or additional sampling interval in the evaluation of soybean nutrition