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Fruit Development, Seed Quality, Chemical Composition, and Yield of Soybeans as Affected by Potassium and Magnesium
Author(s) -
Nelson W. L.,
Burkhart L.,
Colwell W. E.
Publication year - 1946
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1946.03615995001000c00037x
Subject(s) - yield (engineering) , mathematics , library science , horticulture , political science , computer science , biology , physics , thermodynamics
A applications of potassium and magnesium are known to increase yields of soybeans for seed on certain soils, there is little information on the specific effects that these nutrients exert on the components of yield or on plant or seed characteristics. For example, under conditions of a field response to potassium, the mechanism -whereby additions of this element bring about a yield increase is not known. It may be by increasing pod formation or by improved retention of pods to maturity; by increasing the size of the pods, that is the number of cavities per pod; by increasing the degree of filling; or even by increasing seed size. It may be that the "beneficial effect of a nutrient element is reflected in more than one of these possible ways. The objective of this study was to determine the specific effects of potassium and magnesium on these yields components and on the seed characteristics, thus narrowing the problem associated with these nutrients to specific types of plant behavior. In carrying out this objective seed quality was investigated by studying its general appearance and chemical composition. Insofar as the authors know there is no information on the specific influence that potassium or magnesium exert on fruit development and seed characteristics. A mixture of potassium and phosphorus was. found to increase soybean yields in Indiana with corresponding increases in pods per plant, beans per pod, seed sizej and quality of beans (7). In these studies, however, the specific influence of each element was not isolated. In respect to seed composition it has been observed previously in North Carolina that under conditions of potassium deficiency the oil content was increased approximately i% by additions of this element (3, 5). Cartter has reported no effect of potash on oil content of beans under conditions of little or no yield response from potash additions (2). Under these conditions there was little effect on protein content.