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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #334048

Title: Phosphorus fertilization differentially influences fatty acids, protein and oil in soybean

Author
item YIN, XINHUA - University Of Tennessee
item Bellaloui, Nacer
item MCCLURE, ANGELA - University Of Tennessee
item TYLER, DON - University Of Tennessee
item Mengistu, Alemu

Submitted to: American Journal of Plant Sciences
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/24/2016
Publication Date: 10/17/2016
Citation: Yin, X., Bellaloui, N., McClure, A.M., Tyler, D.D., Mengistu, A. 2016. Phosphorus fertilization differentially influences fatty acids, protein and oil in soybean. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 7:1975-1992.

Interpretive Summary: Information is limited about phosphorus (P) fertilization effects on soybean seed composition. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of five P application rates on the concentrations of various fatty acids, protein, and oil in soybean under no-tillage from 2008 through 2011. Protein, oil, and fatty acid concentrations in seed responded differently to P fertilization. In general, protein concentrations were enhanced but oil levels reduced with increased P application rate. Palmitic and oleic concentrations responded positively to P application rate up to a certain level. However, the response of linolenic acid concentration was mixed (negative or positive). Stearic concentration was not influenced by P fertilization. Application of 10 kg P ha-1 resulted in higher production of protein and palmitic, oleic, and linolenic acids than zero P and the higher P application rates as well on the P deficient soil. Excessive P application rates could lower seed yield and the quality of some attributes in seed. In conclusion, linoleic acid concentration, a key quality attribute in soybean seed for human and animal consumption, can sometimes be enhanced by P fertilization; the indigenous soil P level and P application rate should be taken into account in breeding soybean cultivars with low linolenic acid level.

Technical Abstract: Information is limited about phosphorus (P) fertilization effects on soybean seed composition. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of P application rates on the concentrations of various fatty acids, protein, and oil in soybean under no-tillage on low and high testing P soils at Jackson and Milan, Tennessee from 2008 through 2011. Five P rates 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 kg P ha-1 plus the recommended P fertilizer rate based on soil P testing results were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Protein, oil, and fatty acid concentrations in seed responded differently to P fertilization. In general, protein concentrations were enhanced but oil levels decreased with increased P application rate. Palmitic and oleic concentrations responded positively to P application rate up to a certain level. However, the response of linolenic acid concentration was mixed (negative or positive). Stearic concentration was not influenced by P fertilization. Application of 10 kg P ha-1 resulted in higher production of protein and palmitic, oleic, and linolenic acids than zero P and the higher P application rates as well on the P deficient soil. Excessive P application rates could lower seed yield and the quality of some attributes in seed. In conclusion, linoleic acid concentration, a key quality attribute in soybean seed for human and animal consumption, can sometimes be enhanced by P fertilization; the indigenous soil P level and P application rate should be taken into account in breeding soybean cultivars with low linolenic acid level.