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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Raleigh, North Carolina » Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #373791
Research Project: Exploiting Genetic Diversity through Genomics, Plant Physiology, and Plant Breeding to Increase Competitiveness of U.S. Soybeans in Global Markets

Location: Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research

Title: Leaf gas exchange recovery of soybean from water-deficit stress

Author
item ROSAS-ANDERSON, PABLO - North Carolina State University
item SINCLAIR, THOMAS - North Carolina State University
item Locke, Anna
item Carter Jr, Thomas
item RUFTY, THOMAS - North Carolina State University

Submitted to: Journal of Crop Improvement
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2020
Publication Date: 5/20/2020
Citation: Rosas-Anderson, P., Sinclair, T.R., Locke, A.M., Carter Jr, T.E., Rufty, T.W. 2020. Leaf gas exchange recovery of soybean from water-deficit stress. Journal of Crop Improvement. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2020.1764429.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15427528.2020.1764429

Interpretive Summary: It is important to understand soybean responses to drought in order to improve soybean drought tolerance. This study measured the ability of five soybean genotypes to recover from drought stress. The five genotypes had varying abilities to recover transpiration after drought stress. Maximum recovery of transpiration was reached about three days after re-watering, but some genotypes were able to recover only 50% of transpiration compared to control plants, while others recovered nearly 100% of transpiration. The greatest difference in maximum transpiration recovery was between the varieties USDA-N8002 and Benning compared to the landrace Geden Shirazu, with Geden Shirazu having the lowest recovery. Photosynthesis and VPD response measurements did not show that restricted plant stomatal conductance was responsible for the limitation observed in Geden Shirazu recovery.

Technical Abstract: As the risk of drought increases due to climate change, the development of high yielding, drought-adapted cultivars will be critical for minimizing yield losses in crops like soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). In this study, the ability of soybean genotypes to recover transpiration and leaf gas exchange capacity following re-watering from soil drying was investigated. The plants were subjected to controlled water-deficit stress and recovery in growth chamber experiments. Transpiration was measured on five soybean genotypes and photosynthesis rates on two select genotypes. After water re-supply, transpiration was initially low but increased until a stable rate was reached on day 3, to about 50% to 100% of controls. The greatest difference in maximum transpiration recovery was between the varieties USDA-N8002 and Benning compared to the landrace Geden Shirazu, with Geden Shirazu having the lowest recovery. Photosynthesis and VPD response measurements did not show that restricted plant stomatal conductance was responsible for the limitation observed in Geden Shirazu recovery.