Morphological response of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars to light intensity and red to far-red ratio

Abstract

In soybean production, the shade avoidance response can affect yield negatively in both mono- and inter-cropping systems due to increased heterogeneity of the crop and lodging. This is mainly regulated by photoreceptors responding to the ratio between red and far-red light (R:FR) and photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). In this study, three soybean cultivars were grown under different R:FR and PPFD in a light emitting diode (LED) climate chamber to disentangle the effect of each on morphology and dry matter. Results showed that plant organs were influenced differently and indicated an interaction with the increase in assimilates at high PPFD. Internode elongation was mainly influenced by low PPFD with an additive effect from low R:FR, whereas petiole elongation responded strongly under low R:FR. Hence, petiole elongation can be seen as the main response to the threat of shade (high PPFD and low R:FR) and both petiole and internode elongation as a response to true shade (low PPFD and low R:FR). Interactions between cultivar and light treatment were found for internode length and diameter and leaf mass ratio, which may be unique properties for specific cropping systems.