Potential Association between Soil and Leaf Chemical Properties, and Soybean Seed Composition

Abstract

Maximizing the expression of seed quality traits by understanding howthey are affected by environmental variables may help develop high qualitynutritious soybeans. Eight specialty soybean breeding lines were grown at twoArkansas locations differing by soil texture, with three replications in 2011.Before the reproductive period, soil and leaf samples were collected from eachplot. Soil samples were analyzed for particle size distribution, electricalconductivity, pH, and a set of extractable nutrients from the top 12.5 cm,while leaf samples were analyzed for the same set of nutrients as the soilsamples. At maturity, seed samples were analyzed for the same set of nutrients aswere leaf and soil samples, plus protein, oil, fatty acids, and sugars. Allleaf elements were within the adequate levels for soybean production at bothlocations. Overall, seed composition of breeding lines did not differ amonglocations and no significant changes in breeding line ranking among locationswere observed. Attempting to modify seed composition by nutrient fertilizationmay not be profitable, as no direct relationships were observed between leaf orsoil chemical properties, and seed composition. These findings may provide astarting point for future studies on fertilization and management practicesthat improve soybean seed quality.