Effect of Foliar and Soil Application of Potassium Fertilizer on Soybean Seed Protein, Oil, Fatty Acids, and Minerals

Manju Pande, Mudlagiri B. Goli, Nacer Bellaloui

Crop Genetics Research Unit, United States Depart-ment of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, USA.
Department of Natural Sciences and Environmental Health, Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, USA.

DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2014.55069                

Abstract

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of soil and foliar application of potassium (K) on leaf and seed mineral concentration levels, and seed composition (protein, oil, fatty acids, and minerals). Soybean cultivar (Pioneer 95470) of maturity group 5.7 was grown in a repeated greenhouse experiment in a randomized complete block design. Treatment consisted of two concentrations of foliar K application (T1, rate of 1.75% and T2, rate of 2.5%) and soil application (T3, rate of 190 mg/kg and T4, rate of 380 mg/kg). Potassium was applied for each type at V3 (vegetative) and R3 (beginning of seed pod initiation) stages. The results showed higher K and S concentrations in leaves in T1 and T2. The concentrations of B and Zn decreased in all treatments, whereas Fe concentration increased in T1 and T3. In seeds, most mineral concentrations were stable, except for Fe which increased in both T1 and T3. Seed protein percentage increased 3.0% in T3 compared with the control (no K application). Seed oil percentage showed a general decrease in all the treatments, except for 3.2% increase in T4. Palmitic acid percentages showed significant increase in all concentrations, the highest percentage increase of 16.9% was observed in T4. Stearic acid increased in T2 and T3. Linoleic acid percentages increased in both foliar treatments, but linolenic acid percentage increased in high soil treatment T4 alone, with an increase of 12.2% in comparison to the control. Significant decrease (15.8%) in linoleic acid was found in foliar application, T2. Oleic acid decreased uniformly in all treatments, where the highest decrease (19.2%) was observed in soil application, T4. Our research demonstrated that both foliar and soil application of K were found to selectively alter seed composition. Further research is needed to be conducted under field conditions before conclusions can be made.

Keywords

Potassium; Soybean; Seed Minerals; Seed Composition; Foliar Application

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	(2007) Nutritional &Health Benefits of Soybean. The Soybean Fact Book, Nutritional &Health. ASAIM. http://www.asaimsea.com/index.php?language=en&screenname=__docs_Archive%20Reference%20Collection%7CThe%20Soybean%20Fact%20Book
[2]	Hegstad, H.G. (2008) Nutritional and Health Benefits of Soybean. Soy Protein Quality Evaluation Report. Food and Agriculture Organization on the United Nations. Food and Nutrition, Rome, Paper No. 71.
[3]	Chang, E.T., Lee, V.S., Canchola, A.J., Clarke, C.A., Purdie, D.M., Reynolds, P, Anton-Culver, H., Bernstein, L., Deapen, D., Peel, D., Pinder, R., Ross, R.K., Stram, D.O., West, D.W., Wright, W., Ziogas, A. and Horn-Ross, P. L. (2007) Diet and Risk of Ovarian Cancer in the California Teachers Study Cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology, 165, 801-813.
[4]	Hasler, C.M. (1998) Scientific Status Summary on Functional Foods: Their Role in Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Food Technology, 52, 57-62.
[5]	Messina, M. (1995) Modern Applications for Ancient Bean: Soybeans and the Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Disease. Journal of Nutrition, 125, 567S-569S.
[6]	Messina, M., Gardner, C. and Barnes, S. (2002) Gaining Insight into the Health Effects of Soy but a Long Way Still to Go: Commentary on the Fourth International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease. Journal of Nutrition, 132, 547S-551S.
[7]	Caragay, A.B. (1992) Cancer-Preventive Foods and Ingredients. Food Technology, 4, 65-68.
[8]	Doyle, C., Kushi, L. H., Byers, T., Courneya, K.S., Demark-Wahnefried, W., Grant, B., McTiernan, A., Rock, C.L., Thompson, C., Gansler, T. and Andrews, K.S. (2006) Nutrition and Physical Activity during and after Cancer Treatment: An American Cancer Society Guide for Informed Choices. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 56, 323-353. http://dx.doi.org/10.3322/canjclin.56.6.323
[9]	Wu, A.H., Yu, M.C., Tseng, C.C. and Pike, M.C. (2008) Epidemiology of Soy Exposures and Breast Cancer Risk. British Journal of Cancer, 98, 9-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjc.6604145
[10]	Mehdi, S.M., Sarfaraz, M. and Hafeez, M. (2007) Response of Rice Advance Line PB-95 to Potassium Application in Saline-Sodic Soil. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 10, 2935-2939. http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2007.2935.2939
[11]	Tiwari, S.P., Joshi O.P., Vyas, A.K. and Billore, S.D. (2001) Potassium Nutrition in Yield and Quality. 307-320. www.ipipotash.org
[12]	Coale, F.J. and Grove, J.H. (1990) Root Distribution and Shoot Development in No-Till Full Season and Double-Crop Soybean. Agronomy Journal, 82, 606-612. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj1990.00021962008200030034x
[13]	Nelson, K.A., Motavalli, P.P. and Nathan, M. (2007) Mobility of Iron and Manganese within Two Citrus Genotypes after Foliar Applications of Sulfate and Manganese. Journal of Plant Nutrition, 30, 1385-1396. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01904160701555754
[14]	Fernandez, F. (2012) Corn, Soybean Showing Signs of Potassium Deficiency. Corn and Soybean Digest Newsletter.
[15]	Garcia, R.L. and Hanway, J.J. (1976) Foliar Fertilization of Soybean during the Seed-Filling Period. Agronomy Journal, 68, 653-657. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj1976.00021962006800040030x
[16]	Weir, B. (1998) Foliar Potassium Bumps Cotton Yields: California Researcher Reports Consistent Yield Increases to Foliar-Applied Potassium over a Period of Years in the San Joaquin Valley. Fluid Journal, 6, 10-13.
[17]	Dkhil, B.B., Denden, M. and Aboud, S. (2011) Foliar Potassium Fertilization and Its Effect on Growth Yield and Quality of Potato Grown under Loam-Sandy Soil and Semi-Arid Conditions. International Journal of Agricultural Research, 6, 593-600. http://dx.doi.org/10.3923/ijar.2011.593.600
[18]	Hiller, L.K. (1995) Foliar Fertilization Bumps Potato Yields in Northwest: Rate and Timing of Application, Plus Host of Other Considerations, Are Critical in Applying Foliars to Potatoes. Fluid Journal, 10, 28-30.
[19]	Wilcox, J.R. and Shibles, R.M. (2001) Interrelationship among Seed Quality Attributes in Soybean. Crop Science, 41. 11-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2001.41111x
[20]	Helrich, K. (1990) Method 988.05. Official Methods of Analysis, 15th Edition, The Association of Official Analytical Chemists Inc., Arlington.
[21]	Helrich, K. (1990) Method 920.39. Official Methods of Analysis, 15th Edition, The Association of Official Analytical Chemists Inc., Arlington.
[22]	Boydak, E., Alpasian, M., Hayta, M., Gercek, S. and Simsek, M. (2002) Seed Composition of Soybean Grown in the Harran Region of Turkey as Affected by Row Spacing and Irrigation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 50, 4718-4720. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf0255331
[23]	Anuradha, K. and Sharma, P.S. (1995) Effect of Moisture Stress and Applied Potassium on Yield and Biochemical Parameters Of Soybean in Vertisols. Journal of Oilseeds Research, 12, 275-278.
[24]	Dixit, S.P and Sharma, P.K. (1993) Effect of Lime and Potassium on Yield and Uptake of Nutrients I Wheat (Triticum aestivum)-Soybean (Glycine max)-Linseed (Linum usitatissimum) Cropping Sequence in Acid Alfisol. Indian Journal of Agricultural Science, 63, 333-339.
[25]	Pande, M., Goli, M.B., Epps, T. and Bellaloui, N. (2012) Seed Protein, Oil, Fatty Acids, and Mineral Concentration as Affected by Foliar K-Glyphosate Applications in Soybean Cultivars. Agricultural Sciences, 3, 848-853.
[26]	Bellaloui, N., Yin, X., Mengistu, A., McClure, A.M., Tyler, D.D. and Reddy, K.N. (2013) Soybean Seed Protein, Oil, Fatty Acids, and Isoflavones Altered by Potassium Fertilizer Rates in the Midsouth. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 4, 976-988. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2013.45121
[27]	Mordvedt, J.J. (2001) Calculating Salt Index. Fluid Journal, 9, 8-11.
[28]	Parker, M.B. and Boswell, F.C. (1980) Foliar Injury, Nutrient Intake, and Yield of Soybean as Influenced by Foliar Fertilization. Agronomy Journal, 72, 110-113. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj1980.00021962007200010022x
[29]	Mallarino, A.P. and Ul-Haq, M. (1998) Foliar Fertilization of Soybeans. Proceedings of the 28th North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference, St. Louis, 11-12 November 1998, 20-26.
[30]	Odeleye, F.O., Odeleye, O.M.O. and Animashaun, M.O. (2007) Effects of Nutrient Foliar Spray on Soybean Growth and Yield (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) in South West Nigeria. Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca, 35, 22-27.
[31]	Bellaloui, N., Hanks, J.E., Fisher, D.K. and Mengistu, A. (2009) Soybean Seed Composition Is Influenced by within-Field Variability in Soil Nutrients. Online. Crop Management.
[32]	Burton, J.W. (1985) Breeding Soybean for Improved Protein Quantity and Quality. In: Shibles, R., Ed., World Soybean Research Conference III: Proceedings, Westview Press, Boulder, 361-367.
[33]	Abbasi, M.K., Tahir, M.M., Azam, W., Abbas, Z. and Rahim, N. (2012) Soybean Yield and Chemical Composition in Response to Phosphorus-Potassium Nutrition in Kashmir. Agronomy Journal, 104, 1476-1484. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj2011.0379
[34]	Bellaloui, N., Bruns, H.A., Gillen, A.M., Abbas, H.K., Zablotowicz, R.M., Mengistu, A. and Paris, R.L. (2010) Soybean Seed Protein, Oil, Fatty Acids, and Mineral Composition as Influenced by Soybean-Corn Rotation. Agricultural Sciences, 1, 102-109. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/as.2010.13013
[35]	Blevins, D.G. (1985) Role of Potassium in Protein Metabolism in Plants. In: Munson, R.D., Ed., Potassium in Agriculture, ASA, CSSA and SSSA, Madison, 413-424.
[36]	Pettigrew, W.T. (2008) Potassium Influences on Yield and Quality Production for Maize, Wheat, Soybean and Cotton. Physiologia Plantarum, 133, 670-681. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2008.01073.x
[37]	Magen, H. (1997) IPI Activity in India-Summary Report for 1993-1997: Results from Field Experimentation and Description of Promotional Activity. International Potash Institute, Horgen, 33.
[38]	Evans, H.J. and Wildes, R.A. (1971) Potassium and Its Role in Enzyme Activation. In: Evans, H.J. and Wildes, R.A., Eds., Potassium in Biochemistry and Physiology, International Potash Institute, Berne, 13-19.
[39]	Mengel, K., Secer, M. and Koch, K. (1981) Potassium Effect on Protein Formation and Amino Acid Grain. Agronomy Journal, 73, 74-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.2134/agronj1981.00021962007300010018x