Soybean Growth, Development and Productivity in Response to Flood Stress at Reproductive Stage

Abstract Objectives The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of flooding on: Reproductive, growth, and development Nutrient concentration Soybean productivity and resilient in changing environment Methods An out-door pot-culture experiment was conducted to determine flooding effects on soybean growth and physiology during the reproductive period. Cultivar Asgrow AG5332 was seeded in 5.2 L pots filled with 3:1 by volume fine sand and topsoil and irrigated with full-strength Hoagland's nutrient solution. After 34 days of sowing, treatments were induced flooding at 2.5 cm above the soil surface for 16 additional days. Measurements were made on soil oxygen content and leaf gas exchange and pigment. Growth parameters and plant components biomass were also measured, 66 days after sowing. Results Soil oxygen levels declined rapidly to 0% in around 5-days of flood treatment, but the control remained 18%. The nutrient: N and Mg concentrations significantly decreased with flooding. All plant growth parameters and reproductive potential declined in the treatments at P = 0.001. Pod numbers and weights as a measure of reproductive potential declined in the plants under flood conditions. Conclusions This study confirmed that the soybean plant during the reproductive period is highly sensitive to flooding. Flood-resistant cultivar should be encouraged by farmers to improve crop productivity and food security. Funding Sources United State Soybean Production Board USAID.