Search Results (75)

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a major oilseed crop rich in phytosterols and tocopherols, compounds associated with functional and nutritional properties of vegetable oils. This study aimed to apply, for the first time, Independent Component Analysis (ICA) to discriminate the composition of phytosterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol) and tocopherols (α, β, γ, δ) in 20 soybean genotypes—14 non-transgenic and six transgenic—cultivated in two major producing regions of Paraná state, Brazil (Londrina and Ponta Grossa). Lipophilic compounds were extracted from soybean seeds, quantified via gas chromatography and HPLC, and statistically analyzed using ICA with the JADE algorithm. The extracted independent components successfully differentiated soybean varieties based on phytochemical profiles. Notably, transgenic cultivars from Ponta Grossa exhibited higher levels of total tocopherols, including α- and β-tocopherol, while conventional cultivars from both regions showed elevated phytosterol content, particularly campesterol and stigmasterol. ICA proved to be a powerful unsupervised method for visualizing patterns in complex compositional data. These findings highlight the significant influence of genotype and growing region on the nutraceutical potential of soybean, and support the use of multivariate analysis as a strategic tool for cultivar selection aimed at enhancing functional quality in food applications. Full article

The current study aimed to determine the optimum agronomic conditions—specifically sowing date and seeding density—for soybean cultivation in a temperate climate. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate three sowing dates based on soil temperature (S1—9 °C, S2—12 °C, S3—15 °C) and three seeding densities (D1—50, D2—70, D3—90 seeds·m⁻²). A field experiment was conducted in the years 2017–2019 in eastern Poland (Central Europe). Yields were strongly influenced by weather conditions. In 2019, the average yield was 2.61 Mg·ha⁻¹, making it the most favorable year, whereas 2018 was the least favorable, with an average yield of 1.41 Mg·ha⁻¹. Seeding density also affected soybean yields—the highest yield was obtained at the medium density (D2—2.36 Mg∙ha⁻¹). On the other hand, the highest thousand seed weight (159.30 g·m⁻²) was achieved at the lowest density (D1). Plant height and pod length depended on the sowing date. The tallest plants (69.96 cm) and the longest pods (4.55 cm) were obtained with early sowing (S1). The number of seeds per pod ranged from 1.8 to 2.7, with the highest values recorded in 2017, mainly with early sowing (S1) and low density (D1). It is recommended that sowing strategies be flexibly adjusted to the meteorological conditions of a given season. The findings indicate that appropriate selection of sowing parameters can significantly enhance the efficiency and stability of soybean yields under the variable climatic conditions of Poland. Full article

This study presents an intelligent method for evaluating the risk of Asian rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) based on its development stage in soybean crops (Glycine max (L.) Merrill). It has been designed using smart computer systems supported by image processing, environmental sensor data, and an embedded model for evaluating favorable conditions for disease progression within crop areas. The approach also includes the use of machine learning techniques and a Markov chain algorithm for data fusion, aimed at supporting decision-making in agricultural management. Rules derived from time-series data are employed to enable scenario prediction for risk evaluation related to disease development. Measured data are stored in a customized system designed to support virtual monitoring, facilitating the evaluation of disease severity stages by farmers and enabling timely management actions. Full article

Black soybean is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent several degenerative diseases, but in the Western diet, it is poorly used, despite the interest in foods rich in bioactive compounds. This study aimed to formulate a black soybean yogurt (BSY) fermented by a probiotic culture of L. acidophilus and evaluate the nutritional and bioactive profiles, the total antioxidant capacity, and complementary parameters during fermentation and storage for one month. We also evaluated the potential for acceptance by Rio de Janeiro consumers (n = 103). The final BSY water content was 92.8%. The dry matter contained 50.2% protein, 20.1% lipid, 5.9% ashes, 23.8% carbohydrates, and other constituents, including 1% sucrose, 5.9% α-galactosides, 26.9 mg/100 g anthocyanins (mainly cyanidin-3-glucoside), 140.5mg/100 g isoflavones (mainly genistin and daidzin). Titratable acidity was 0.44% and pH 4.5. In the sensory test, 12% sucrose and fruit extracts (strawberry, prune, and grape) were added individually to the product to evaluate the acceptability. The sweetened strawberry extract offered the highest acceptability, with a 7.6 score in a nine-point hedonic scale, against a 5.6 of the sweetened control with no fruit extract. Furthermore, all products scored well in the clusters with assessors who consumed soy products often and daily (total n = 26), with the strawberry-flavored one scoring, on average, 8 or 9. One month storage at 8 ± 2 °C caused a 22% decrease in the anthocyanins content and no significant change in isoflavones, titratable acidity, and pH. Fermentation and the addition of a sweetened fruit extract proved to be promising tools to increase the consumption of black soy milk in the West. Full article

Green soybeans, or edamame (Glycine max L. Merril), serve as a superior source of phytochemicals and other nutritive substances and are commonly used as ingredients and additives in food products due to their polyphenols’ functional properties and antioxidant activity. Hence, it is very important to use a process to extract compounds with functional roles from plants as efficiently as possible. In this study, we sought to identify the optimal conditions for extracting genistein, belonging to the aglycone subgroup of isoflavones, from edamame using the cold plasma (CP) and enzyme method. Additionally, the impact of various drying techniques (spray-drying and freeze-drying) and storage conditions on the crude genistein extract powder was evaluated. The findings showed that the maximum values for the total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and genistein (22.5 ± 0.23 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g; 15.3 ± 0.13 mg of catechin equivalents (CAE)/100 g; and 12.6 ± 0.10 mg/100 g, respectively) were achieved under optimal pretreatment conditions using a CP gas flow rate of 5 L/min for 30 min, followed by enzymatic treatment at a specific enzyme concentration of 2.0% (v/v) for 240 min of incubation. Moreover, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated that the CP and enzyme treatment induced significant structural changes, as evidenced by the presence of deeper pores on the surface of the powder granules. Spray-drying demonstrated a superior efficacy compared to freeze-drying for encapsulating the crude isoflavone extract. This study’s results also demonstrated that storage at 4 °C significantly stabilized the TPC, TFC, and genistein content and the antioxidant activity while preserving the physical properties (solubility and color) of the crude extract powder for up to 45 days. In summary, cold plasma pretreatment and enzymatic treatments offer practical solutions by enhancing the efficiency of non-thermal extraction processes, thereby increasing the yield of bioactive compounds, maintaining quality, and diminishing reliance on traditional, harsh methods. The elevated genistein content in the crude extract powder indicates its prospective application as a functional ingredient in various food and nutraceutical contexts. Full article

Precision agriculture facilitates improved management by studying the spatial and temporal variability of soil attributes. Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) seeds may exhibit distinct quality when produced in different management zones. This study aimed to validate management zones during seed production and identify the variability and spatial distribution of soybean seed physiological quality using geostatistical tools. Management zones were defined based on interpolated maps of soil and vegetation attributes using the Smart Map Plugin (SMP) within the QGIS environment. Post-harvest, the variability of physiological seed quality across different management zones was assessed. Germination, accelerated aging, dry weight, emergence, electrical conductivity, and tetrazolium tests were conducted in a completely randomized design. Soil attributes, initial plant stand, and soybean seed productivity validated the management zones. Physiological seed quality varies across the production field, particularly in terms of vigor, thereby enhancing diagnostics through map interpolation. Geostatistics enable determination of the spatial distribution of soybean seed physiological quality in seed production areas, facilitating decision-making regarding harvest zones. Full article

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a key source of plant protein, with 7S and 11S globulins being the primary fractions. This study investigated the protein content, protein composition, and 11S/7S globulin ratios of 411 soybean samples, and then selected six varieties (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, and S6) for the analysis of the protein structures and functional properties. The results revealed that varieties with low 11S/7S ratios (S1, S2, and S3) exhibited relatively high random coil contents (20.11–22.94%) and lower β-sheet contents (34.17–38.37%), suggesting the presence of more loosely structured proteins. S2 showed good solubility (73.21%) and water-holding capacity (WHC) (2.73 g/g), which can improve product quality and yield. In contrast, varieties with high 11S/7S ratios (S4, S5, and S6) demonstrated more compact protein structures, increased surface hydrophobicity, larger particle sizes, lower absolute zeta potential values, and greater oil-holding capacity (OHC) values (7.58–8.48 g/g). S4, in particular, demonstrated superior emulsification properties, with emulsion activity index (EAI) (4.71 m²/g) and emulsion stability index (ESI) (58.73 min), which are widely used in the food industry such as in cake, ice cream, and bread. This study provides valuable information for the selection of soybean varieties with optimal 11S/7S ratios for processing soybean products. Full article

Phytophagous mites are herbivores that feed on various economically important plants, such as soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merril]. Thus, our objective is to evaluate the oxidative stress stage of soybean plants infested by Tetranychus ludeni Zacher. Leaflets from three trifoliate leaves were pooled to form composite samples for each exposure time and evaluated at the following evaluation times: 0 h, 20 min, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h. In the initial phase of infestation (20 min), an oxidative burst was observed, represented by prominent hydrogen peroxide accumulation rather than superoxide radicals. This oxidative burst occurred in parallel to a strong increase in the antioxidant activities of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase, but not in that of superoxide dismutase. These changes likely reflected an enhanced activation of signaling pathways involved in the oxidative stress response. After this initial phase, from 20 min to 6 h, a prominent decrease occurred in catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferases activities, despite the hydrogen peroxide levels remaining significantly elevated, along with a marked but transient increase in the reduced glutathione content and proline. Interestingly, superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly after 6 h in parallel to lipid peroxidation, whereas the content of hydrogen peroxide remained elevated until 12 h of infestation. By the final evaluation, after 48 h of infestation, some redox indicators remained altered in relation to control plants, but in a state of moderate redox stress. Thus, in an unprecedented way, our data suggest that T. ludeni infestation triggered a moderate oxidative stress response in soybean plants. These findings highlight that proper monitoring and management can reduce economic losses without resorting to aggressive chemical interventions. Full article

Reducing soil tillage with the application of catch-crop green mass as a mulch is a conservation practice that is used in agriculture to improve soil ecosystem functioning. Such a cultivation method enhances soil organic matter quantity and quality through the improvement of soil biological activity and nutrient availability, while reducing soil disturbance. Therefore, a three-year field experiment was conducted in the years 2017–2019 to evaluate the effect of three tillage methods (TMs) (conventional, CT; reduced, RT; and strip tillage, ST) on soil microbial and specific enzyme properties (microbial C and N content, the activity of dehydrogenases—DHA, the rate of fluorescein sodium salt hydrolysis—FDAH, CMC-cellulase—Cel and β-glucosidase—Glu) and certain basic soil properties. The study was performed in a field; it was a one-factor experiment that was carried out in a randomized block design. The soil samples were collected from the upper soil layer five times a year: in April (before the sowing of soybean), May, June, August and September (before soybean harvesting). The tillage methods or sampling dates used had no significant effect on the organic carbon and total nitrogen levels. Most of the C-related properties (the content of microbial biomass and the C-cycling enzymatic activity such as Cel and Glu) and microbial activity bioindicators (DHA activity, FDAH rate) revealed significant seasonal changes, whereby each variable was affected in a different order (e.g., the Cel activity was significantly higher in April and September than in other months—22%, while the DHA activity was significantly higher in June and August compared to other months—18%). RT significantly increased the enzymatic activity as compared to CT and ST, and the difference was between 8 and 33% (with a mean of 18%). The exception was the β-glucosidase activity as determined in 2019, which was significantly higher in the case of CT (1.02 mg pNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹) and ST than in RT (0.705 mg pNP kg⁻¹ h⁻¹). However, the explanation for such phenomenon could not possibly be based on the available data. Our results suggested that the response of the enzyme activities toward the same factor may be due to the inherent variability in enzyme response associated with the spatial variability in soil properties as well as the properties of the enzyme itself and changes in the periodic occurrence of its substrates in the soil. Generally, the reduced tillage combined with plant residues return could be recommended for enhancing soil health and quality by improving its microbial and enzymatic features. The findings above suggest that a reduced tillage system is an important component of soil management in sustainable agriculture. Full article

Lodging of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merril.) significantly reduces seed yield and quality, particularly in high-yielding environments. This phenomenon occurs when stems weaken under the weight of the plants, complicating harvesting. This study investigated the relationship between soybean stem chemical composition, physical traits, and lodging resistance to improve yield and resilience. We found that as plant density increased, stem hardness decreased, and the elasticity increased, heightening the risk of lodging. Conversely, high temperature (28 °C) boosted lignin, cellulose and pectin content in the stem cell walls, enhancing the lodging resistance. Additionally, after excluding differences in phylogenetic relationships through cluster analysis, we mapped environment-stable genes linked to lodging resistance and identified new QTLs on Chr3 and Chr16. Candidate genes associated with these QTLs were confirmed using qRT–PCR and hormone treatments across diverse soybean varieties. It was found that the expression of stem tip genes was closely related to stem node diameter. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for breeding high-yielding soybean varieties with improved lodging resistance, and advance efforts to develop resilient soybean cultivars. Full article

Green soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is a highly nutritious food that is a good source of protein and fiber. However, it is sensitive to low temperatures during the growing season, and enhancing cold tolerance has become a research hotspot for breeding improvement. Background/Objectives: The underlying molecular mechanisms of cold tolerance in green soybean are not well understood. Methods: Here, a comprehensive analysis of transcriptome and metabolome was performed on a cold-tolerant cultivar treated at 10 °C for 24 h. Results: Compared to control groups, we identified 17,011 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 129 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). The DEGs and DEMs were further subjected to KEGG functional analysis. Finally, 11 metabolites (such as sucrose, lactose, melibiose, and dehydroascorbate) and 17 genes (such as GOLS, GLA, UGDH, and ALDH) were selected as candidates associated with cold tolerance. Notably, the identified metabolites and genes were enriched in two common pathways: ‘galactose metabolism’ and ‘ascorbate and aldarate metabolism’. Conclusions: The findings suggest that green soybean modulates the galactose metabolism and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism pathways to cope with cold stress. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms enabling green soybeans to better avoid low-temperature damage. Full article

The hypothesis of this study is that it is possible to determine the plant stand in the soybean (Glycine max L. Merril) crop based on the spatial variability of management units, which are limiting factors in maximizing crop yield. Our objectives were as follows: (I) to evaluate the relationship between soil physical and chemical attributes to establish potential management units for variable-rate seeding; (II) to propose a method for varying plant stands based on the law of minimum soil nutrients; an (III) to relate the interaction between different plant stands on soybean grain yield, taking into account the interaction between the spatial variability of the mapped attributes. Field experiments were carried out on two plots over two agricultural years. The areas were seeded by randomly varying the soybean stand across strips in the first year. The most limiting soil nutrient was established and used, together with the soil CEC, to determine management units (MUs), which were also used to seed soybeans in VRT (Variable Rate Technology) in the same plots in the second year. MUs with the lowest restriction for maximizing yield were sown in the second year with the lowest plant stand. Data were processed using multivariate statistics. Our findings reveal that it is possible to establish MUs for seeding soybeans with different stands following the spatial variability of limiting soil nutrients according to the law of the minimum and thus increase the crop grain yield. Spatial variability of potassium (K) in the plot, identified as limiting, affected the spatial variability of grain yield. Decreasing plant stands in MUs with the lowest limitation level increases yield. However, increasing the stand in MUs with a higher limitation level can lead to increased intraspecific competition, affecting yield as well as increasing input costs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Understanding the genetic diversity of soybean genotypes can provide valuable information that guides parental selection and the design of an effective hybridization strategy in a soybean breeding program. In order to identify genetically diverse, complementary, and prospective parental lines for breeding, this study set out to ascertain the genetic diversity, relationships, and population structure among 35 soybean genotypes based on agro-morphological traits and Single Nucleotide Polymorphic (SNP) marker data. Methods/Results: Cluster analysis, based on agro-morphological traits, grouped the studied genotypes into four clusters. The first two principal components accounted for 62.8% of the total phenotypic variation, where days to 50% flowering, days to 95% maturity, grain yield, shattering score, and lodging score had high and positive contributions to the total variation. Using the SNP marker information, mean values of 0.16, 0.19, 0.067, and 0.227 were obtained for minor allele frequency (MAF), polymorphic information content (PIC), observed heterozygosity (Ho), and expected heterozygosity (He), respectively. Using different clustering approaches (admixture population structure, principal component scatter plot, and hierarchical clustering), the studied genotypes were grouped into four major clusters. Conclusions:The agro-morphological and molecular analysis results indicated the existence of moderate genetic diversity among the studied genotypes. The traits identified to be significantly related to yield provide valuable information for the genetic improvement of soybeans for yield. Full article

The soybean aphid, Aphis glycines Matsumura, 1917, is a crucial soybean pest. Cultivated soybean, Glycine max (Carl von Linné) Elmer Drew Merrill, 1917, and wild soybean, Glycine soja Philipp Franz von Siebold & Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini, 1843, are summer hosts of A. glycines. In this study, the development, reproduction, and morphogenesis of A. glycines fed wild soybean (AgFW) were studied at different temperatures and photoperiods. The data were compared with that of A. glycines fed soybean (AgFS). At 20–29 °C, the adult lifespan of the first–third-generation AgFW was shorter than or equal to that of AgFS. Significant differences existed in the adult fecundity and intrinsic rate of increase between AgFW and AgFS. At a 10L:14D h photoperiod, males of AgFW were deposited earlier than, or as early as, males of AgFS. At 17 °C, the gynoparae of AgFW were deposited in proportions greater than or equal to those of AgFS. Based on these results, we concluded that the adaptability of AgFW and AgFS to temperature and photoperiod significantly differs. It is important to understand the life cycle of A. glycines in Harbin, northeast China, and formulate an integrated pest management strategy for A. glycines in the region. Full article

Fungi have the potential to colonize soybean seeds in the field, during their maturation in the pods and after harvest, during storage. The aim of this study was to identify fungi inhabiting soybean seeds after storage with varying germination capacity and to evaluate their chemical composition. The research material consisted of twelve soybean seed lots collected from the fields in southern Poland and stored over winter. The germination percentage of these lots ranged between 20.67% and 81.33%. The seeds were subjected to analyses of the main chemical components and mycological analysis. Fungal isolates were subjected to taxonomic identification using microscopic methods and DNA sequencing (using internal transcribed spacer region and secondary barcoding regions). A total number of 355 fungal isolates from 16 genera were identified, with Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Fusarium being the most common. Species were successfully identified in 94% of isolates. Twelve examined seed lots varied significantly in the number of isolated fungal species (from 1 to 17). Moreover, they also differed in the isolated species composition. Highly significant positive correlation was found between the number of Aspergillus psedudoglaucus isolates and the content of free fatty acids. In turn, the number of Fusarium spp. isolates correlated negatively with protein and nitrogen content. Similarly, highly significant negative correlation was found between the number of all fungal isolates and the 1000-seed weight, indicating that smaller seeds are more vulnerable to fungal infection. The results obtained in this study identify species of fungi which may be responsible for lowering quality of the seeds obtained in southern Poland. Full article