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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Raleigh, North Carolina » Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #412218
Research Project: Exploiting Genetic Diversity to Improve Environmental Resilience, Seed Composition, Yield, and Profitability of U.S. Soybean

Location: Soybean and Nitrogen Fixation Research

Title: Identifying atrazine sensitivity in diverse soybean genotypes from visual, photosynthetic, and biomass responses

Author
item Ramanathan, Shwetha
item GANNON, TRAVIS - North Carolina State University
item EVERMAN, WESLEY - North Carolina State University
item Locke, Anna

Submitted to: Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/6/2024
Publication Date: 1/5/2025
Citation: Ramanathan, S., Locke, A.M., Gannon, T., Everman, W. 2025. Identifying atrazine sensitivity in diverse soybean genotypes from visual, photosynthetic, and biomass responses. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70032.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.70032

Interpretive Summary: Atrazine carryover from application to a crop in the previous season may adversely affect soybean grown in rotation. Commercially relevant soybean genotypes were evaluated for differences in atrazine sensitivity from visual injury ratings and photosynthetic and biomass measurements. Atrazine sensitivity in soybean was revealed to be a function of atrazine concentration in the soil and genotype-specific tolerance or recovery. This research can aid growers in selecting appropriate genotypes for field areas with atrazine carryover.

Technical Abstract: Atrazine carryover from application to a monocot crop may adversely affect soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grown in rotation. Commercially relevant soybean genotypes were evaluated for differences in atrazine sensitivity using visual, photosynthetic, and biomass parameters. Methods. Five soybean genotypes were grown in the greenhouse in Candor sand (93% sand, 3% silt, 4% clay) treated with 0, 9.0, 179.2, 358.4, or 716.8 g a.i. ha-1 atrazine. Visual injury ratings and photosynthetic gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, and relative SPAD measurements were collected during vegetative stages, and aboveground biomass was weighed at experiment termination. Under 9.0 g a.i. ha-1 atrazine, SH 5515 LL exhibited visual injury and aboveground fresh biomass reduction but was unaffected in net photosynthesis rate (A) and effective quantum yield of photosystem II ('PSII) compared to nontreated control. By 21 DAE, P53A67X recovered in A and 'PSII, and AG56X8 recovered in relative SPAD. S52RS86 remained unaffected visually and photosynthetically at this atrazine rate. All genotypes treated with 179.2 g a.i. ha-1 atrazine showed higher visual injury ratings and lower relative SPAD, A, and 'PSII after 7 DAE and lower aboveground biomass 21 DAE except S52RS86, which was similar in relative SPAD throughout. Atrazine at 358.4 and 716.8 g a.i. ha-1 caused plant death in all genotypes 14 DAE. Visual injury ratings were strongly correlated with photosynthetic measurements and aboveground biomass at each sampling timing. Atrazine sensitivity in soybean is a function of atrazine concentration in the soil and genotype-specific tolerance or recovery ability. This research can aid growers in selecting appropriate genotypes for field areas with atrazine carryover.