HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sinclair, T. R. Articles by Biggs, R. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Sinclair, T. R. Articles by Biggs, R. H. Agricola Articles by Sinclair, T. R. Articles by Biggs, R. H.

Growth and Yield of Field-Grown Soybean in Response to Enhanced Exposure to Ultraviolet-B Radiation

USDA-ARS, Agronomy Dep., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611;

O. N'Diaye

Former Research Associate, Agronomy Dep., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611;

R. H. Biggs

Fruit Crops Dep., Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

^* Corresponding author.

ABSTRACT

Concern has been raised about the projected depletion of stratospheric ozone and the resultant increased exposure of crops to ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation. Studies done in growth chambers and greenhouses indicate that substantial decreases in photosynthetic activity and leaf area growth may result from enhanced exposure to UV-B radiation. However, for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] very few studies have been done under field conditions, and these studies either used unfiltered UV lamps or harvested only a few plants to determine seed yield. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of a 32% enhancement of UV-B irradiance at Gainesville, FL on the growth and yield under field conditions of six soybean cultivars. No influence of either UV-A or UV-B radiation was detected on any growth parameter studied. Leaf area development, internode length, phyllochron index, flowering date, podding date, crop growth rate, and final seed yield were unaffected by enhanced exposure to ultraviolet radiation. These results indicate that soybean crops are not in jeopardy from the projected increase in exposure to ultraviolet radiation.