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Effect of Moisture Stress on Seed Growth in Soybeans 1
Author(s) -
Meckel L.,
Egli D. B.,
Phillips R. E.,
Radcliffe D.,
Leggett J. E.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1984.00021962007600040033x
Subject(s) - sowing , moisture stress , loam , agronomy , moisture , biology , growth rate , yield (engineering) , stress (linguistics) , horticulture , mathematics , soil water , chemistry , materials science , linguistics , philosophy , metallurgy , ecology , geometry , organic chemistry
The growth of an individual soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed is an important part of the yield production process. An understanding of the effect of environmental factors on the growth of individual seeds is needed to enhance our understanding of the effect of the environment on yield. Soybeans were grown in the field on a Maury silt loam soil (fine, mixed, mesic Typic Paleudalfs) for 3 years (1979 to 1981) and subjected to varying levels of moisture stress to investigate the effect of moisture stress on seed growth. Irrigated controls were compared with moisture stress treatments from planting to beginning seed fill (growth stage RS), during seed filling (growth stage R5 to R7) or from planting to maturity (severe stress). Fruits were tagged at beginning seed fill and sampled at weekly intervals to estimate the seed growth rate and the effective filling period (EFP). Although the stress treatments reduced yield and vegetative growth, the rate of seed growth (mg seed −1 day −1 ) was not affected. The seed‐filling period (estimated as days from growth stage R5 to R7 or EFP) was shortened by the severe stress treatment in 1979 and 1981 (statistically significant only in 1979), and there was a trend for the period of R5 to R7 to be shortened by late stress in 1980 and 1981. The data suggest that the rate of individual seed growth is less sensitive to moisture stress than other plant processes. The seed filling period was more sensitive to moisture stress than seed growth rate and the effect of moisture stress on the duration of seed fill may be one way that stress reduces soybean yield.