Dynamic chloroplast pigments concentration in leaves of soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) under reduced tillage

The objectives of this experiment were to determine the chloroplast pigments dynamics of soybean leaves during the growth stages under different tillage systems, which can be a major factor limiting yield of soybean. The greatest differences between the photosynthetic productivity parameters of the investigated soybean were determined from reproductive stages (R2 and R3?–?4). The chlorophyll a, chlorophyll a/b and carotenoids content under CT, DH and NT were greater in the reproductive stages (R2 and R3?–?4) than in the early stages (V3?–?4 and R1). The concentration dynamics of chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a/b was very similar in all growth stages and under all tillage systems in the 2-yr average. The increased drought stress in 2003 was likely critical in the observed lower seed yields in 2003. The yield of soybean was significantly lower under NT than CT and DH treatments in both years. The relationship between the soybean yield and chloroplast pigments concentration is strongly influenced by external factors. In the 2-yr average the soybean yield was considerably affected by the years and tillage systems. Statistical analysis showed a very significant relationship between chlorophyll pigments content, but photosynthetic parameters investigated did not correlate with soybean yield.     

Nitrogen accumulation in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is increased by manure compost application in drained paddy fields as a result of increased soil nitrogen mineralization

The application of manure compost is an effective way to increase soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield and nitrogen (N) fertility in drained paddy fields. We investigated changes in soil N mineralization during soybean cultivation using reaction kinetics analysis to determine the contribution of increased N mineralization after manure compost application (at a rate of 0 to 6?kg?m^?2) on N accumulation and seed yield of soybean under drained paddy field conditions. The seed yield and N accumulation decreased markedly in the second and third year of the experiment, but soil N mineralization increased in both years. No decrease in soil N mineralization occurred even after two soybean crops. Soil N availability was not the main cause of decreased soybean yield in the second and third years. The differences in plant aboveground N content between plots with and without manure compost was similar to the increase in N mineralization caused by manure compost application in the second and third years. The application of 6?kg?m^?2 of manure compost increased the amount of ureide-N and nitrate-N in soybean in the third year. Our results suggest that manure compost application increases soil N mineralization and soybean N₂ fixation, resulting in increased N accumulation and seed yield. However, the soybean yield remained less than 300?g?m^?2 in the second and third years (i.e., below the yield in the first year) at all levels of manure compost application due to the remarkable decrease of N accumulation in the second and the third crops.     

AFLP Analysis of Genetic Diversity in Indian Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] Varieties

AFLP technique was used to assess genetic diversity in 72 soybean varieties under cultivation in India. Selected 12 AFLP primer pairs produced 1319 products of which 1257 were polymorphic (95%). Wide variations were observed for the number of amplification products, percent polymorphism and average polymorphism information content (PIC). The Jaccard's similarity indices (J) based on the AFLP profiles of the 72 soybean varieties were subjected to UPGMA cluster analysis. The dendrogram generated revealed four major clusters, which were strongly supported by the high bootstrap values obtained from analyses of 1000 bootstrap samples. In addition, the Mantel's test for cophenetic correlation with r = 0.955 indicated very good fit of the varieties to a group in the cluster analysis. Some correspondence between the clustering pattern and the pedigree, place of release or target area of the variety was observed. Overall moderately high genetic diversity was observed which appears to be due to the higher genetic diversity prevalent in 12 of the varieties included in three diverse clusters and was indicative of the need to include more diverse germplasm in the soybean improvement programs.     

Seed Coat Cracking of Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) After Soaking and Cooking

Seed coat cracking after soaking (SCAS) and after cooking (SCAC) are unfavorable traits associated with soybeans for food uses, such as cooked and seasoned beans (nimame) and fermented steamed beans (natto) because they cause an inferior appearance of the products and clogging of the production lines. The variation and causes of SCAS and SCAC among cultivars have not yet been clarified, but if they are determined genetically, genetic modification could be possible. Cultivars showed considerable variations in SCAS and SCAC. Significantly positive seasonal correlations of SCAS (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.518) and of SCAC (ρ = 0.681) were observed among recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the cross between cultivars Nattoshoryu and Hyokeikuro 3. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses and statistical analyses using generalized linear models showed that QTLs for SCAS (qSCAS1 , qSCAS2 , and qSCAS3 ) and SCAC (qSCAC1 and qSCAC2 ) were located on chromosomes 4 (linkage group [LG]: C1), 6 (LG: C2), and 8 (LG: A2) of the RILs. Interactions between QTLs were also observed. SCAS and SCAC are traits controlled by QTLs, which could provide significant insight into their causes and mechanisms. These undesirable characteristics could be improved through breeding.     

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) shoots systemically control arbuscule formation in mycorrhizal symbiosis

Abstract

The roots of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) establish symbiosis with nodule-inducing rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The existing nodules systemically suppress subsequent nodule formation, a phenomenon known as autoregulation. Grafting experiments revealed that some forms of autoregulation are controlled by the shoot. In the present study, we examined shoot-controlled regulation of AM fungal colonization using a reciprocal grafting technique. Ten-day-old seedlings of wild-type soybean cv. Enrei and its hypernodulating mutant En6500 were cut below the cotyledons and the shoots were grafted to self or reciprocal roots. Grafted seedlings were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Gigaspora rosea and grown in a glasshouse for 60 days. The arbuscule abundance of the En6500 (shoot)/En6500(root) graft was 1.5-fold higher than that of the Enrei/Enrei graft. In grafts between Enrei and En6500, an increased arbuscule abundance was detected only when En6500 was used as the shoot. The arbuscule abundance of Enrei/En6500 when Enrei was used as the shoot was comparable to that of Enrei/Enrei. The intensity of AM fungal colonization was lower in Enrei/En6500 than in the other grafting treatments. From the results obtained, we suggest that soybean shoots systemically control arbuscule formation in both AM symbiosis and nodule formation.     

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) shoots systemically control arbuscule formation in mycorrhizal symbiosis

The roots of soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) establish symbiosis with nodule-inducing rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. The existing nodules systemically suppress subsequent nodule formation, a phenomenon known as autoregulation. Grafting experiments revealed that some forms of autoregulation are controlled by the shoot. In the present study, we examined shoot-controlled regulation of AM fungal colonization using a reciprocal grafting technique. Ten-day-old seedlings of wild-type soybean cv. Enrei and its hypernodulating mutant En6500 were cut below the cotyledons and the shoots were grafted to self or reciprocal roots. Grafted seedlings were inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Gigaspora rosea and grown in a glasshouse for 60 days. The arbuscule abundance of the En6500 (shoot)/En6500(root) graft was 1.5-fold higher than that of the Enrei/Enrei graft. In grafts between Enrei and En6500, an increased arbuscule abundance was detected only when En6500 was used as the shoot. The arbuscule abundance of Enrei/En6500 when Enrei was used as the shoot was comparable to that of Enrei/Enrei. The intensity of AM fungal colonization was lower in Enrei/En6500 than in the other grafting treatments. From the results obtained, we suggest that soybean shoots systemically control arbuscule formation in both AM symbiosis and nodule formation.     

Potassium fertilization effects on isoflavone concentrations in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Soybean isoflavone concentrations vary widely, but the contribution of soil fertility and nutrient management to this variability is unknown. Field experiments from 1998 to 2000 on soils with low to high exchangeable potassium (K) concentrations evaluated K application and placement effects on isoflavone concentrations and composition of soybean in various tillage and row-width systems. Soybean seed yield and concentrations of daidzein, genistein, glycitein, leaf K, and seed K were measured. Significant increases in daidzein, genistein, and total isoflavone were observed with direct deep-banded K or residual surface-applied K on low-K soils. Positive effects of K fertilization on isoflavones were less frequent on medium- to high-testing K soils. Both individual and total isoflavones were often positively correlated with seed yield, leaf K, and seed K on low-K soils. Appropriate K management could be an effective approach to increase isoflavone concentrations for soybeans produced on low- to medium-K soils.     

Warm temperatures or drought during seed maturation increase free alpha-tocopherol in seeds of soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.)

Soybean seeds are an important source of dietary tocopherols, but like seeds of other dicotyledonous plants, they contain relatively little alpha-tocopherol, the form with the greatest vitamin E activity. To evaluate potential effects of environmental stress during seed maturation on tocopherols, soybeans were raised in greenhouses at nominal average temperatures of 23 degrees C or 28 degrees C during seed fill, with or without simultaneous drought (soil moisture at 10-25% of capacity), during normal growing seasons in 1999 (cvs. Essex and Forrest) and 2000 (cvs. Essex, Forrest, and Williams). Total free (nonesterified) tocopherols increased slightly in response to drought in Essex and Forrest. All three lines responded to elevated temperature and, to a lesser extent, drought with large (2-3-fold) increases in alpha-tocopherol and corresponding decreases in delta-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol. The results suggest that weather or climate can significantly affect seed tocopherols. It may be possible to breed for elevated alpha-tocopherols by selecting for altered plant response to temperature.     

Physical mapping and candidate gene prediction of branch number on the main stem in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Branch number on the main stem (BNMS) is an important factor that affects crop plant architecture and yield in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. With the aim...     

Oxalate and phytate concentrations in seeds of soybean cultivars [Glycine max (L.) Merr.

This study analyzed soybean seeds from 116 cultivars for total, insoluble, and soluble oxalate (Ox), phytate (InsP6), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) because of their potential beneficial or harmful effects on human nutrition. These cultivars were divided into four groups (A-D) on the basis of the year and geographic location where they were grown. Oxalate concentration ranged from about 82 to 285 mg/100 g of dry seed. The InsP6 concentration ranged from 0.22 to 2.22 g/100 g of dry seed. There was no correlation between Ox and InsP6 within or among the four groups of cultivars. There was a significant correlation between total Ox and Ca, but not Mg, in group D cultivars (r = 0.3705; p < 0.0005). No significant relationship was found in the group A-C cultivars. Eleven group D cultivars had InsP6 less than 500 mg/100 g, but all had total Ox of 130 mg/100 g or greater. Five cultivars from groups A-C had relatively low InsP6 (group B; < or =1.01 g/100 g) and low Ox (<140 mg/100 g). These cultivars could be useful for producing soy foods beneficial to populations at risk for kidney stones and for improved mineral bioavailability. The Ox and InsP6 concentrations of the cultivars indicate that choosing specific parents could generate seeds in succeeding generations with desirable Ox and InsP6 concentrations.     

Assessment of phenotypic and molecular diversity in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] germplasm using morpho-biochemical attributes and SSR markers

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Soybean is a high-nutritional crop that provides a sustainable source of dietary protein and edible oil for human consumption and animal diet. In this...     

Classification and Characteristic of Maturity Groups of Chinese Landraces of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

To link Chinese soybean classification with the world soybean maturity group system suggested by American researchers, 264 soybean landraces from China and 48 varieties of 13 soybean maturity groups from the United States (US) were tested under the natural and extended day-length at Nanjing, China. Based on comparing Chinese with the US soybeans in days to maturity, Chinese soybean landraces were classified into maturity group (MG) 000, 00, 0, I, II,..., IX, which only MG X might not exist in China. Chinese soybean landraces in each of MG 0, I, II and III revealed large variation in days to flowering and were almost grown in all eco-regions in China. These four maturity groups were further divided into eight sub-groups according to the variation in days to flowering and geographical distribution of soybeans of the same maturity group. The geographic distribution of soybean maturity groups in China was also presented in this paper. This study should be significant for soybean researchers in the world to understand the whole feature of Chinese soybean landraces germplasm.     

Correlations of oil and protein with isoflavone concentration in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Twelve isoflavones were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography in seeds of 17 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars grown at three locations. 6' '-O-Malonyldaidzin and 6' '-O-malonylgenistin together constituted 71-81% of total isoflavones, which ranged in concentration from 2038 to 9514 microg/g and averaged 5644 microg/g across locations and cultivars. The total as well as several individual isoflavones had a moderate negative correlation with oil across locations and cultivars. Six cultivars had a moderate or strong negative correlation of total isoflavones with oil. Five cultivars had a moderate or strong positive correlation of total isoflavones with protein. These results suggest that judicious selection of germplasm for soybean breeding may facilitate development of soybean lines with desirable isoflavone concentrations.     

Variation of nitrogen accumulation and yield in response to phosphorus nutrition of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.)

Phosphorus (P) is essential macronutrient for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] growth and function. The objective of this study was to determine effect of phosphorus nutrition (including phosphorus nutrition level and interruption of phosphorus supply) on nitrogen accumulation, nodule nitrogen fixation and yield of soybean plants by ¹⁵N labeling with sand culture. The results showed that they all presented a single peak curve with improvement of phosphorus nutrition level, when phosphorus concentration of nutrient solution was about 31 mg/L, they all reached the maximum and effect of phosphorus nutrition level on nodule nitrogen fixation was lower than that on yield formation level. Interruption of phosphorus supply during soybean growth period, nitrogen accumulation and nodule nitrogen fixation were seriously inhibited, and yield was decreased significantly when interruption of phosphorus supply during V₃-R₁ and R₁-R₅ period, while interruption of phosphorus supply during R₅-R₇ period had no significant effect on nitrogen accumulation, nodule nitrogen fixation and yield. So soybean nitrogen metabolism and yield were sensitive to phosphorus nutrition in the V₃-R₅ period, those were not sensitive to phosphorus nutrition after R₅ period.     

Novel role of photoinsensitive alleles in adaptation of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] to rainfed short growing seasons of lower latitudes

Soybean is a temperate photosensitive crop but has adapted to sub-tropical and tropical countries of lower latitudes also. Photoperiodic and maturity genes confer latitudinal adaptation in this crop. Genotyping of accessions of higher latitudes have shown the role of photoinsensitivity, conferred by recessive photoperiodic alleles (e1/e2/e3/e4), in adaptation of the crop to high latitudes but information is not available for lower latitudinal countries like India. We genotyped and calculated the photosensitivity of 101 cultivated Indian soybean varieties and found that majority of the varieties (86) were photosensitive and had the dominant alleles at these loci. Four genotypic classes (e1-as/E2/E3/E4, E1/e2/e3/E4, E1/e2/E3/E4 and E1/E2/e3/E4) were observed for varieties with recessive alleles. Photoinsensitive alleles at E1 and E2 loci significantly reduced the days to flower, maturity and photosensitivity percentage. Adaptive role of photoperiodic alleles was inferred from breeder seed requirement of these varieties for 35 years. Although the photosensitive class contributed 81% to the total seed requirement the weighted mean contribution of this class (380 Q/year) was far less than that of photoinsensitive class (648 Q/year). Photoinsensitivity is essential for perpetuation of crop in higher latitudes. Present report highlights the novel role of photoinsensitive alleles in adaptation of soybean to rainfed, short growing and sub-tropical conditions of lower latitudes by conferring earliness.

     

Seed longevity studies in wild type,cultivated and inter-specific recombinant inbred lines (RILs) of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Loss of seed viability is a serious hurdle in production and ambient seed storage of soybean. Understanding the factors affecting seed viability,&nbsp;and...     

缺磷胁迫下草甘膦对抗草甘膦大豆幼苗光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数的影响1

为探明缺磷胁迫下草甘膦对抗草甘膦大豆（RR1）幼苗叶片光合作用和叶绿素荧光参数的影响,采用溶液培养方法,在大豆长出真叶时进行缺磷胁迫,第二复叶完全展开时进行草甘膦处理,5d后测定各生理指标。结果表明, 相对于正常供磷条件的清水处理,缺磷胁迫下4.98 mL/L草甘膦处理的大豆叶片净光合速率（Pn）、气孔导度（Gs）、胞间CO2浓度（Ci）、最大荧光（Fm）、PSⅡ最大光化学效率（Fv/Fm）、PSⅡ的有效量子产量［Y(Ⅱ)］、PSⅡ非调节性能量耗散的量子产量［Y(NO)］、最大电子传递速率（ETRmax）和半饱和光强（Ik）均呈下降趋势。而气孔限制值（Ls）、叶绿素a（Chl a）、叶绿素b（Chl b）、叶绿素a/b（Chl a/b）、类胡萝卜素（Car）、总叶绿素（Chl）含量和PSⅡ调节性能量耗散的量子产量［Y(NPQ)］均呈升高趋势。说明缺磷胁迫条件下喷施草甘膦显著降低了抗草甘膦大豆的光合速率。缺磷引起的气孔因素可能是导致RR大豆光合速率下降的主要原因,而光合速率的下降导致其PSⅡ反应中心的开放程度降低,活性减弱,参与CO2固定的电子较少,光化学效率较低。     

Growth and metal uptake of edamame [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] on soil amended with biosolids and gypsum

ABSTRACT

Although biosolids are a rich source of plant nutrients, there is concern about the potential heavy metal uptake by crops grown on biosolid-amended soils. This study was conducted to determine the effects of limed or composted biosolids and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) on edamame growth, nodule development, and metal uptake. Two consecutive crops of edamame were grown on 40 and 80 T ha^?1 biosolid-amended soil with and without 10 T ha^?1 FGDG. Biosolids with or without FGDG did not reduce biomass, nodules, or grain yields in the first harvest and increased yields of all three tissues in the second harvest. Lead and cadmium concentrations in grain and biomass were below the instrument detection limits. Copper, manganese, and zinc were within the ranges normally found in soybean grain. In this pot study, biosolids and FGDG did not reduce edamame growth or increase grain metal concentrations to levels of concern.     

LDL-antioxidant pterocarpans from roots of Glycine max (L.) Merr

The methanolic root extract of Glycine max (L.) Merr. was chromatographed, which yielded 10 flavonoids, including three isoflavones 1-3, five pterocarpans 4-8, one flavonol 9, and one anthocyanidin 10. All isolated compounds were examined for LDL-antioxidant activities using four different assay systems on the basis of Cu2+-mediated oxidation. Among them, seven compounds showed potent LDL-antioxidant activities in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay, the lag time of conjugated diene formation, relative electrophoretic mobility (REM), and fragmentation of apoB-100 on copper-mediated LDL oxidation. Three pterocarpans 4, 6, and 7, never reported as LDL-antioxidant, showed potent activities with IC50 values of 19.8, 0.9, 45.0 microM, respectively, in comparison with probucol (IC50 = 5.6 microM) as positive control. Interestingly, coumestrol 6 (IC50 = 0.9 microM) showed 20 times more activity in the TBARS assay than genistein (IC50 = 30.1 microM) and daidzein (IC50 = 21.6 microM), representative antioxidants in soybean. Moreover, coumestrol 6 had an extended lag time of 190 min at 3.0 microM in measuring conjugated diene formation, while both genistein (120 min) and daidzein (93 min) lag times were extended to less than 120 min at the same concentration.     

Genetic loci and responsible genes for pod and seed traits under diverse environments via linkage mapping analysis in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution - Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] is widely planted in the world, and provides most of the plant protein and oil for humans. Fresh pod and seed are the basic...