Isoflavone characterization and antioxidant activity of ohio soybeans

Seventeen Ohio soybeans were screened for isoflavone content and antioxidant activity. Isoflavone content was determined by C(18) reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector. Antioxidant activities of soybean extracts were measured using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and photochemiluminescence (PCL) methods. The highest and lowest total isoflavone contents were 11.75 and 4.20 micromol/g soy, respectively, while the average was 7.12 micromol/g soy. Antioxidant activities of soybean extracts ranged from 7.51 to 12.18 micromol butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) equivalent/g soy using the DPPH method. Lipid and water soluble antioxidant activities of soybean extracts ranged from 2.40 to 4.44 micromol Trolox equivalent/g soy and from 174.24 to 430.86 micromol ascorbic acid equivalent/g soy, respectively, using the PCL method.     

Characterization of phenolic substances and antioxidant properties of food soybeans grown in the North Dakota-Minnesota region

Phenolic profiles and antioxidant properties of a total of 30 soybean samples, including 27 grown in the North Dakota-Minnesota region and three soybeans from the other regions, were investigated. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), phenolic acids, flavonols, anthocyanins, and isoflavones were quantified. Antioxidant properties of soybean extracts were assessed using 2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) methods. Results showed that black soybean cultivars possessed significantly higher TPC, TFC, DPPH, FRAP, and ORAC values than all yellow soybean cultivars. However, black soybean cultivars did not exhibit significantly higher individual phenolic contents (except for anthocyanins), such as phenolic acids and isoflavones, than the yellow soybean cultivars. The isoflavone profiles of North Dakota soybean cultivars were similar to those of South Dakota, but average values of total isoflavone (TI) contents were higher than soybeans grown in the other states and Korea and Japan according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Iowa State University Database on the isoflavone contents of foods. Correlation assays showed that TPC, TI, total phenolic acids, daidzin, genistin, malonyldaidzin, daidzein, genistein, and trans-cinnamic acid significantly ( r = 0.73, 0.62, 0.49, 0.68, 0.59, 0.59, 0.56, 0.47, and 0.76, respectively, p < 0.0001) correlated with ORAC values of yellow soybeans. Both isoflavones and phenolic acids contributed to the ORAC values of yellow soybeans. These data suggest that some selected soybean cultivars may be used as high-quality food-grade soybeans for providing high phenolic phytochemicals and antioxidant activities.     

Amino acid composition and antioxidant capacity of Spanish honeys

The amino acid composition of 53 honey samples from Spain, consisting of 39 floral, 5 honeydew, and 9 blend honeys, has been determined. Physicochemical characteristics, polyphenolic content, amino acid composition, and estimation of the radical scavenging capacity against the stable free radical DPPH of the honey samples were analyzed. The resulting data have been statistically evaluated. The results showed that pH, acidity, net absorbance, electrical conductivity, and total polyphenolic contents of the honeys showed a strong correlation with the radical scavenging capacity. The correlation between the radical scavenging capacity of honey and amino acid contents was high with 18 of the 20 amino acids detected, with correlation values higher than those obtained for polyphenolic content. These results suggest that the amino acid composition of honey is an indicator of the sample's scavenging capacity.     

Isoflavone composition, phenol content, and antioxidant activity of soybean seeds from India and Bulgaria

Isoflavone levels and isoflavone chemical composition in 11 cultivars of soybean, including 4 Indian and 7 genotypes of soybean grown in Bulgaria, were analyzed as determined by C 18 reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector. Antioxidant activity of soybean extracts was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, and total phenolic compounds (TPC) were determined by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The range of total isoflavones (TI) was 558.2-1048.6 microg g (-1) of soy in Indian cultivars, and it was 627.9-1716.9 microg g (-1) of soy in the case of Bulgarian cultivars. The highest and lowest total isoflavone contents were observed for Maus-2 (1048.6 microg g (-1) of soy) and Hardee (558.2 microg g (-1) of soy), respectively, for the Indian cultivars, and they were observed for Boryara (1716.9 microg g (-1) of soy) and Line 5 (627.9 microg g (-1) of soy) for the Bulgarian genotypes. DPPH radical scavenging activity did not differ significantly among the cultivars and did not correlate with TI, whereas TPC correlated well with TI and weakly with DPPH. Malonylglucoside of all the aglycones, total genistein (TGin), and total daidzein (TDin) showed strong correlation with total isoflavones, whereas acetylglucoside and aglycone levels did not significantly correlate with total isoflavone. Profiling of soybean isoflavone is helpful in understanding the regulation of isoflavone biosynthesis for greater improved resistance of crops to disease and greater health benefits for humans. This comparative study of soybean cultivars grown in India and Bulgaria throws light on their composition and nutraceutical value.     

Seed composition of soybeans grown in the Harran region of Turkey as affected by row spacing and irrigation

This study was conducted to determine the effects of row spacing (RS) and irrigation (IR) on protein content, oil content, and fatty acid composition of soybeans grown in the Harran region of Turkey. Oil content of the seed varied from 20.9 to 22.3%. Oil and protein contents were both affected by year. RS and IR affected protein and oil contents significantly (P < 0.01) in both years. RS of 70 cm had the highest protein content, followed by RS of 60, 40, and 50 cm, respectively. IR every 3rd day resulted in the highest level of protein, followed by 6th, 9th, and 12th day irrigation, respectively. The correlation coefficient (r) between protein and oil content was -0.791 in 1998 and -0.721 in 1999. RS (P < 0.01) and IR (P < 0.01) influenced oleic and linoleic acid contents significantly. Interactions of RS and IR were also found to be significant (P < 0.05) for the oleic and linoleic acid contents of soybeans.     

Fruit quality, antioxidant capacity, and flavonoid content of organically and conventionally grown blueberries

The effect of cultivation practices on fruit quality and antioxidant capacity in highbush blueberries var. Bluecrop (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) was evaluated from random samples of commercial late harvest fields in New Jersey. Results from this study showed that blueberry fruit grown from organic culture yielded significantly higher sugars (fructose and glucose), malic acid, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, and antioxidant activity (ORAC) than fruit from the conventional culture. In organically cultured fruit, the average values for the ORAC, total anthocyanins, and total phenolic content were 46.14 micromol of Trolox (TE)/g of fresh weight (fwt), 131.2 mg/100 g of fwt, and 319.3 mg/100 g of fwt, respectively. In conventionally cultured fruit, the average values for the ORAC, total anthocyanin, and total phenol content were 30.8 micromol of TE/g of fwt, 82.4 mg/100 g of fwt, and 190.3 mg/100 g of fwt, respectively. The organic culture also produced fruit with higher contents of myricetin 3-arabinoside, quercetin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-galactoside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-arabinoside, petunidin 3-galactoside, petunidin 3-glucoside, and malvidin 3-arabinoside than conventional culture. There was a significant correlation between the ORAC values and total phenolics and total anthocyanins. These results indicate that even though there were variations in phytonutrient content among individual farms within each cultural system, significant differences between two cultivation practices were evident.     

Cultivar and growing region determine the antioxidant polyphenolic concentration and composition of apples grown in New Zealand

Evidence suggests that increasing consumption of fruit and vegetables contributes to improved health and well-being by providing protection from diseases including various cancers and cardiovascular disease. Although there is uncertainty about which components generate this effect, an attractive hypothesis is that the antioxidants are at least partly responsible. We measured the polyphenolic concentrations in 10 different apple cultivars grown commercially in New Zealand, each sourced from three different geographic regions. Our results showed that the concentration of polyphenolics varied among the apple cultivars, with Pacific Queen containing 2.7 times the amount of polyphenolics found in Cox's Orange. Furthermore, there were significant differences in polyphenolic concentrations in fruit from different regions for some cultivars but not for others. We also measured the polyphenolic concentrations in apple skin and flesh and found that on average 46% of the polyphenolics in whole apples were in the skin. Essentially all of the flavonols (quercetin derivatives) were present in the skin. To maximize the intake of apple polyphenols, it is necessary to consume apples of cultivars with high polyphenolic concentrations such as Pacific Queen and include the skin. Our results also showed that there is potential for promoting apple fruit from specific geographical regions because they contained elevated concentrations of antioxidant polyphenolic compounds.     

Bioactive compounds, myrosinase activity, and antioxidant capacity of white cabbages grown in different locations of Spain

The influence of two Spanish growing locations with well-differentiated climatic conditions (northern and eastern areas) on the main bioactive compounds, glucosinolates (GLS), total phenolic compounds (TPC), and vitamin C, as well as myrosinase activity and antioxidant capacity in five white cabbage ( Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) cultivars was investigated. Cabbages with the highest concentration of total GLS presented the highest vitamin C level (r = 0.75, P ≤ 0.05) and the lowest antioxidant capacity (r = -0.76, P ≤ 0.05). The cultivars with the highest vitamin C content had the lowest myrosinase activity (r = -0.89, P ≤ 0.05) and antioxidant capacity (r = -0.86, P ≤ 0.05), whereas those with the largest TPC amount showed the highest antioxidant capacity (r = 0.71, P ≤ 0.05). Cabbage cultivars grown in the northern area of Spain with low temperatures and radiation led to higher mean values of myrosinase activity (29.25 U/g dm), TPC (10.0 GAE mg/g dm), and antioxidant capacity (81.6 μmol Trolox/g dm), whereas cultivars grown in the eastern area with high temperature and radiation led to larger mean values of GLS (14.3 μmol/g dm) and vitamin C (5.3 mg/g dm). The results of this investigation provide information regarding the most suitable Spanish growing location to produce white cabbage with an optimized content of health-promoting compounds.     

Engineering flax plants to increase their antioxidant capacity and improve oil composition and stability

The composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the tissues is very important to human health and strongly depends on dietary intake. Since flax seeds are the richest source of polyunsaturated acids, their consumption might be beneficial for human health. Unfortunately, they are highly susceptible to auto-oxidation, which generates toxic derivatives. The main goal of this study was the generation of genetically modified flax plants with increased antioxidant potential and stable and healthy oil production. Since among phenylpropanoid compounds those belonging to the flavonoid route have the lowest antioxidant capacity, the approach was to inhibit this route of the pathway, which might result in accumulation of other compounds more effective in antioxidation. The suppression of the chalcone synthase gene resulted in hydrolyzable tannin accumulation and thus increased antioxidant status of seeds of the transgenic plant. This was due to the partial redirecting of substrates for flavonoid biosynthesis to the other routes of the phenylpropanoid pathway. Consequently, transgenic plants produced more (20-45%) polyunsaturated fatty acids than the control and mainly α-linolenic acid. Thus, increasing the antioxidant potential of flax plants has benefits in terms of the yield of suitable oil for human dietary consumption.     

Anthocyanin composition of wild Colombian fruits and antioxidant capacity measurement by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

The qualitative and quantitative anthocyanin composition of four wild tropical fruits from Colombia was studied. Compounds of "mora peque?a" ( Rubus megalococcus Focke.), "uva de árbol" ( Myrciaria aff. cauliflora O. Berg), coral, and motilón ( Hyeronima macrocarpa Mull. Arg.) fruits were separately extracted with methanol-acetic acid (95:5, v/v). The anthocyanin-rich extracts (AREs) were obtained by selective adsorption on Amberlite XAD-7. Each extract was analyzed by HPLC-PDA and HPLC-HRESI-MS(n) with LCMS-IT-TOF equipment in order to characterize the anthocyanin pigments and the coinjection in HPLC using standards allowed identifying the major constituents in each extract. The antioxidant activity was measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and UV-vis spectroscopy, using ABTS and DPPH free radicals. The ARE of motilón ( H. macrocarpa Müll. Arg) exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity in comparison to the other extracts. A second-order kinetic model was followed in all of the cases. These results suggested that the studied fruits are promising not only as source of natural pigments but also as antioxidant materials for food industry.     

Sulfur composition of soybeans as affected by light and temperature

Abstract

Growth‐chamber experiments on effects of light and temperature on S constituents of leaf blades, total S concentrations, and S uptake in whole soybean plants are reported. A 5‐day dark period decreased concentration of soluble protein S and increased concentrations of nonsol‐uble S, soluble nonprotein S, sulfate S, organic S, reduced nonprotein S, and total S of leaf blades. Soluble protein was decreased but S content of soluble protein was unaffected. For whole plants, dry weight and S uptake decreased and S concentration increased.

A 5‐day cold period increased leaf blade concentrations of soluble protein S, soluble nonprotein S, sulfate S, organic S, and total S, but had little effect on nonsoluble S and reduced nonprotein S. Soluble protein increased but S content per unit of protein was unaffected. For whole plants, dry weight was less, S concentration increased, and S upr take was unaffected.     

蒸汽爆破处理对麦麸的酚酸组成及其抗氧化活性的影响

该试验旨在研究蒸汽爆破处理对小麦麸皮的酚酸组成及抗氧化活性的影响.将麦麸在不同处理压力(0.5,1.5,2.5 MPa)和不同处理时间(30,90 s)条件下进行蒸汽爆破预处理.通过水解和碱提的方法,将得到的麦麸进行提取,得到游离酚酸和结合酚酸2部分,对其中的几种主要酚酸,如香草酸、丁香酸,4-香豆酸,阿魏酸进行研究.结果表明,4种主要酚酸的含量在蒸汽爆破处理后均有所提高,其中阿魏酸的含量最高,结合酚酸中由未处理时的57.232μg/g提高到了1454.092 μg/g.该试验还进行了总酚测定,抗氧化活性的测定.通过总酚的测定可以看出,蒸汽爆破处理后,总酚的含量高于未处理麦麸,且随着处理强度的增加,呈现先增加后减少的趋势,在处理条件为2.5 MPa,30 s,总酚含量最高,约为未处理时的9倍.抗氧化试验得到的变化趋势与总酚呈现相似的规律,与未进行蒸汽爆破预处理的麦麸相比,处理后的麦麸表现出了更高的1,1-二苯基-2-三硝基苯肼(DPPH)和2,2-联氮-二(3-乙基-苯并噻唑-6-磺酸)二铵盐(ABTS)自由基清除率,以及在亚油酸体系中的抗氧化活性和还原能力.当处理条件为2.5 MPa,30 s时,抗氧化活性表现最高.由此可得到,2.5 MPa 30s是蒸汽爆破处理麦麸的最佳条件,此时麦麸中酚酸含量和抗氧化活性均较优,为以后麦麸中酚类物质的深度开发利用提供理论支持.     

Sulfur composition of soybeans as affected by macronutrient deficiencies

Abstract

Results of solution culture experiments on effects of N, P, and K deficiencies on S constituents of leaf blades, total S concentrations, and S uptake by soybean plants are reported. Nitrogen deficiency decreased the concentration of soluble protein S, had little effect on nonsoluble S, and increased concentrations of soluble nonprotein S, sulfate S, reduced non‐protein S, and total S of soybean leaf blades. Soluble protein and S content of soluble protein decreased under N‐deficient conditions. For whole plants, S concentration and S uptake increased while dry weight was unaffected by N deficiency.

Phosphorus deficiency did not significantly affect S constituents of soybean leaf blades or whole plants. However, S concentrations and S uptake tended to decrease when P was deficient.

Potassium deficiency increased nonsoluble S concentrations in leaf blades and total S concentrations in whole plants but lowered dry weight per plant. Other S fractions of the leaf blades and S uptake per plant were not significantly affected.     

Positional effect on protein and oil content and composition of soybeans

Soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) protein and oil qualities, with respect to monogastric nutrition, have been linked to the relative abundance of specific protein subunits and fatty acids, respectively. An analysis of field-grown soybean seeds by near-infrared spectroscopy revealed significant differences in their protein and oil contents as a function of nodal position. Seed proteins from the plant apex were high in protein and low in oil content, while those from the basal region exhibited an opposite pattern of accumulation. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of total seed proteins revealed that the beta-subunit of beta-conglycinin content was 4-fold higher in seeds from the apical nodes than in seeds from basal nodes. The glycinin A3 polypeptide content gradually increased in successively lower nodes from the top of the plant. Its accumulation was drastically reduced when nitrogen was applied at specific growth stages. Exogenous nitrogen did not alter the pattern of beta-subunit accumulation, but accrual of the acidic and basic polypeptides of glycinin was diminished. The remaining seed storage protein components were not influenced by nodal position or nitrogen application. Gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acids indicated that only oleic (18:0) and linoleic (18:2) acids showed variability in accumulation at different nodes. Neither the abundance nor the distribution of the fatty acids was altered by nitrogen application.     

Comparison of MnSO4 and MnEDTA for soybeans grown on two soils in the greenhouse

Abstract

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare MnSO₄ and MnEDTA as Mn sources. Four soil‐applied rates of each source were applied to two Coastal Plain soils, a Leefield s (pH 6.3) and an Alapaha is (pH 7.0). Plants were grown for 40 days and dry tissue weights were recorded along with leaf contents of Mn, Zn, Fe and Cu. The same ions were extracted from the soil with DTPA. The chelate source caused no differences in either extractable soil Mn or plant Mn between soils or among rates even when added at its highest rate of 2 μgMn/g. The sulfate source increased extractable soil Mn and plant Mn over the various rates but more so for the Alapaha soil than for the Leefield. Plant weights were not different between sources except on the averages for the Leefield soil. However, for the Leefield soil and the sulfate source, plant weights were lower for the check than for intermediate Mn rates due to Mn deficiency and lower for the high Ma rate (50 μg/g) presumably due to toxicity. A correlation coefficient of 0.866** was obtained for soil‐extracted Mn versus plant Mn concentration indicating that the DTPA was a good extractant for these two soils. High correlations between plant and soil Mn versus plant and soil Zn, Fe, and Cu for the chelate source showed that the MnEDTA affected metal ion availabilities other than just Mn. It was concluded that the MnSO₄ was the better source at the rates used and that for these soils the best rate was S μgMn/g applied to the soil.     

大豆作物降水利用率与生产潜力的研究

结合《国家旱作农业示范区建设项目》的实施,在内蒙古东部区四盟市的七个示范区旗市开展了该项研究工作。历时三年,调查了1978～2001年的降水和粮食产量资料,并进行了相关分析,建立了大豆作物的降水生产潜力模型。     

Antibiotic-resistant mutants identified from nodules of uninoculated soybeans grown in a strongly acidic soil

Two hypotheses that antibiotic-resistant nodule isolates from uninoculated soybeans grown in a strongly acidic soil were naturally occurring rhizobia which had acquired resistance to spectinomycin and streptomycin or were contaminants from adjacent, inoculated treatments, were tested in laboratory experiments. Soybean nodule isolates (166) as well as 48 cowpea and 89 Rhizobium japonicum strains were used in tests of resistance to six concentrations (0–500 μg ml^?1) of kanamycin, spectinomycin and streptomycin, tolerance of stresses of pH 4.6, with or without 50 μm Al, and serological cross-reactivity.More strains from the strongly acidic soil were resistant to the antibiotics than from slightly acidic soils, but resistance to antibiotics did not necessarily entail resistance to pH 4.6 or to 50 μm Al. Twenty-three nodule isolates which were resistant to spectinomycin or streptomycin cross-reacted with antisera of the inoculum strains, indicating that they were contaminants. None of 59 antibiotic-sensitive nodule isolates from uninoculated plants and none of 31 from inoculated plants cross-reacted with the antisera. All 53 antibiotic-resistant isolates from nodules of plants in inoculated plots cross-reacted with test antisera, indicating stability of the antibiotic markers.Cowpea rhizobia were generally more resistant to the antibiotics and more tolerant of pH 4.6 and 50 μm Al than were R. japonicum. Among strains of R. japonicum, slow growers were more resistant to antibiotics than moderately fast growers.     

Rhizosphere microbiota assemblage associated with wild and cultivated soybeans grown in three types of soil suspensions

Soil microbial community composition is determined by the soil type and the plant species. By sequencing the V3-V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons, the current study assessed the bacterial community assemblage in rhizosphere and bulks soils of wild (Glycine soja) and cultivated (Glycine max) soybeans grown in the suspensions of three important soil types in China, including black, red and soda-saline-alkali soils. The alpha-diversity of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere was significantly higher than that of the bulk soils suggesting that bulk soil lacks plant nurturing effect under the current study conditions. Black and red soils were enriched with nitrifying and nitrogen-fixing bacteria but the soda-saline-alkali soil suspension had more denitrifying bacteria, which may reflect agronomic unsuitability of the latter. We also observed a high abundance of Bradyrhizobium and Pseudomonas, enriched cellulolytic bacteria, as well as a highly connected molecular ecological network in the G. soja rhizosphere soil. Taken all, the current study suggest that wild soybeans may have evolved to recruit beneficial microbes in its rhizosphere that can promote nutrients requisition, biostasis and disease-resistance, therefore ecologically more resilient than cultivated soybeans.     

Soil and plant analysis survey for soybeans grown in the middle coastal plain of south carolina

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the soil fertility and plant nutrient status of soybeans grown on selected sites in the Middle Coastal Plain of South Carolina. Soil tests and plant analysis indicated that all elements were present in sufficient quantity. Micronutrients were added to evaluate their influence on leaf composition and yield. Significant increases in plant B, Cu, and Zn were obtained when these elements were added to the soil, while Fe, Mn, and Mo treatments did not significantly increase the leaf content of these elements. Zn treatments significantly (10% level) increased soybean yields; however, the inclusion of Zn in soybean fertilizer is not recommended until further studies are conducted.     

Benefits of mycorrhizae to soybeans grown on various regimes of nitrogen nutrition 1

Nodulating and nonnodulating isolines of soybean (Glycine max Merr ‘Clay') were grown in sand culture in a greenhouse. The plants were cultured with or without mycorrhizal (Glomus mosseae) infection, and nodulating plants were inoculated with Rhizobium iaponicum. Phosphorous was supplied as hydroxyapatite or dicalcium phosphate with N nutrition from nitrate or as combinations of nitrate and ammonium or nitrate and urea. Best growth of the nodulating isoline was with urea nutrition. Best growth with the nonnodulating isoline was with ammonium nutrition. Urea‐treated nodulating plants showed increased growth due to mycorrhizae. Urea‐treated or ammonium‐treated nonnodulating plants showed growth increases due to mycorrhizae. Nitrate‐treated plants did not show increased growth due to mycorrhizae. Mycorrhizal infection was greatest with urea nutrition, and the infection increased the tissue N content of these plants relative to nonmycorrhizal plants. Enhancement of tissue P accumulation through mycorrhizae was greater with hydroxyapatite than with dicalcium phosphate. The efficiency of the symbiotic relationship of Glvcine‐Glomus‐Rhizobium depended on a supply of reduced nitrogen, a high N:P ratio in roots, and a neutral pH in the rhizosphere. Urea nutrition met these requirements best.

Vesicular‐arbuscular mycorrhizal (VM) associations may improve the capacity of higher plants to acquire nutrients. These benefits have been studied extensively in relation to P nutrition since plant requirements for P are high relative to its availability in soils². Significant benefits may occur also in the nutrition of plants with micronutrients³. Reviews of literature suggest that the function of mycorrhizae in the acquisition of N by plants is variable⁴‘⁵‘⁶. The sources of N under various cultural or ecological conditions may account for the conflicting findings among researchers.

Hyphal transport of N is of little importance with NO3^‐nutrition because of the high mobility of this ion⁶ but may be important for the relatively immobile NH₄ ⁺ ion. Roots of NH₄ ^‐nourished plants often are restricted, and mycorrhizae may extend their absorbing surfaces⁷. Mycorrhizae may prefer NH₄‐N over NO₃‐N for their growth and development⁴. In some cases, NH₄ ⁺ ions restrict mycorrhizal infection compared to the effect of NO₃ ^‐ions⁷. The drop in ambient pH associated with NH₄ ⁺ nutrition may be a cause of this inhibition⁷‘⁸‘⁹. Plants grown on urea may not encounter the problems of acidity in the root zone and yet may have access to NH₄ ⁺ nutrition.

The N contents of mycorrhizally infected plants relative to those of uninfected plants are variable¹⁰‘^11,12,13. These diverse results could arise from differences in the levels and forms of N applied to the plants. Crops well‐infected with mycorrhizal fungi may not benefit from the association if N is limiting¹⁴‘¹⁵ although benefits may appear in soils supplemented with N¹⁵‘¹⁷ even if the level of P in the soil is high¹⁸.

An association of fungi, roots, and bacteria exists in nodulating’ legumes. Maximum benefits from this association may be achieved if N and P supplies are balanced properly. In the present study, the preference of the soybean‐Glomus mosseae‐rhizobial system for form of N was investigated to determine if the mycorrhizal benefits to the soybean could be optimized.