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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #347784
Title: Soybean seed isoflavone respond differentially to phosphorus applications in low and high phosphorus soils

Author
item LIU, SHUANGLI - University Of Tennessee
item WANG, XIAOHUI - University Of Tennessee
item YIN, XINHUA - University Of Tennessee
item Bellaloui, Nacer
item MCCLURE, M. ANGELA - University Of Tennessee
item Mengistu, Alemu

Submitted to: Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2019
Publication Date: 3/14/2019
Citation: Liu, S., Wang, X., Yin, X., Bellaloui, N., McClure, M., Mengistu, A. 2019. Soybean seed isoflavone respond differentially to phosphorus applications in low and high phosphorus soils. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems. 113(3):217-230. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-019-09982-3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10705-019-09982-3

Interpretive Summary: Soybean seed contains chemical compounds known as isoflavones that have the potential for human health benefits. For example, they can prevent or reduce cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms, and several chronic diseases. However, these compounds are affected by many factors, including the amount of phosphorus in the soil. We evaluated the effects of low and high soil phosphorus levels on isoflavone level in soybean seed when soybean is produced under no-tillage. Our results indicate that isoflavone content in soybean seeds increased when phosphorus fertilizer was added to soils that initially had low phosphorus levels. The low amount of phosphorus application did not reduce other important soybean quality attributes such as protein or oil content.

Technical Abstract: Soybean seed isoflavones are affected by many factors, but their responses to phosphorus (P) fertilization is largely unknown. A field experiment was conducted at Jackson and Milan in Tennessee from 2008 to 2010 to investigate the effects of P application rates on individual and total seed isoflavone concentrations and production under no-tillage on low and high P soils. Five P application rates (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 kg·P·ha-1) plus the university recommended P fertilizer rate based on soil P testing were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Phosphorus application rates exerted greater impacts on isoflavone concentrations and production on a low testing P soil than a high P soil. Application of 10 to 20 kg P ha-1 was adequate for optimal individual and total isoflavone concentrations in seed and per hectare production on a low testing P soil. The individual isoflavone genistein was more responsive to P fertilization than other isoflavones daidzein and glycitein. Individual isoflavones were positively correlated (r=0.25 to 0.91) among each other regardless of location and year. The total isoflavone was positively correlated with both seed protein concentration and protein and oil production, but not with seed oil concentration. In conclusion, isoflavones in soybean seed responded to P fertilization stronger on lower P soils. Pre-plant fertilization at 10 to 20 kg P ha-1 is beneficial for optimal isoflavone concentrations and production in soybean seed on low P soils without any significant reduction in other important quality attributes such as protein or oil.