Differential response of soybean genotypes to two lime rates

Abstract

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril] is the leading food crop worldwide, and selection of soybean genotypes for different levels of soil acidity may raise crop yield without the need to increase in planted area. An experiment in greenhouse conditions was conducted to determine the effects of two lime rates on soil chemical properties, grain yield (GY), yield components, nutritional status and physiological components of 15 soybean genotypes adapted to tropical and subtropical conditions. Genotypes BMX Apolo RR, BMX Potencia RR, BRS 295RR, BRS 359RR, FPS Solar IPRO and TMG 716 IRR were the least responsive to soil acidity reduction, and BMX Turbo RR and BRS 360RR were the most responsive. Number of pods per pot, shoot dry weight yield, GY, photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration and chlorophyll increased significantly with increase in lime rate. Cultivar FPS Solar IPRO showed the highest foliar P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in soybean, which was not observed in the grain, indicating the presence of genetic factors and the dilution effect on nutrient uptake.