The Impact of Cultivars and Biostimulants on the Compounds Contained in Glycine max (L.) Merr. Seeds

Katarzyna Rymuza (), Elżbieta Radzka and Joanna Cała
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Katarzyna Rymuza: Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture, Siedlce University, Prusa 14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Elżbieta Radzka: Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture, Siedlce University, Prusa 14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Joanna Cała: Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture, Siedlce University, Prusa 14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: Background: Soybean ( Glycine max (L.) Merr.), a nutrient-rich leguminous crop high in protein, lipids, and minerals, is extensively cultivated worldwide. The chemical composition of soybean seeds depends not only on the genetic characteristics of the cultivar but also on environmental conditions and agricultural practices. In recent years, biostimulants have gained increasing importance in crop production due to their ability to enhance physiological processes in plants and potentially influence nutrient accumulation. This study aimed to investigate how cultivar and biostimulant type influence the chemical composition of soybean seeds under varying weather conditions in Central Europe. Methods: A three-year field experiment (2017–2019) was conducted in eastern Poland (Central Europe) using a split-plot design. The experimental factors included three non-GMO soybean cultivars (Abelina, Merlin, and SG Anser) and two foliar biostimulants (Asahi SL and Improver). In addition to classical ANOVA, the multivariate analysis of the impact of the investigated factors included principal component analysis (PCA). Results: The applied factors significantly affected seed contents of fat, protein, dry matter, ash, fibre, and macronutrients (N, P, K). Cv. Merlin had the highest fat (22.65%) and fibre content (9.33%), while Abelina showed the highest protein (37.06%) and dry matter content (94.42%). Biostimulant application increased the accumulation of several seed components. Asahi SL significantly enhanced fat content (by 0.69%), protein content (by over 1.5%), and dry matter content (by nearly 0.2%) compared to the control. Improver was more effective in increasing nitrogen (by 0.24%), phosphorus (by 0.5%), and potassium (by 0.15%) contents. Weather conditions throughout the growing seasons significantly altered the impact of the biostimulants. The PCA analysis revealed distinct relationships among the chemical properties of seeds, meteorological factors, and the applied biostimulants.

Keywords: Glycine max (L.) Merr.; nutritional value; macronutrient content; biostimulants (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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