The effect of molybdenum and boron in soil on the growth and photosynthesis of three soybean varieties

Abstract

This paper presents a study on growth and photosynthesis response of soybean to Mo and/or B in soil. Pot experiments were set up to examine the effect of Mo and/or B on growth and photosynthesis of three soybean varieties with four treatments (control, +Mo, +B, +[Mo + B]) at various growth stages. The study showed that Mo and/or B increased main length, system volume and dry weight of the roots, aboveground biomass, leaves’ photosynthesis rate of soybean. The variation and interaction between Mo and B in soil was explored with regard to their impact on soybean growth and photosynthesis. There were some dissimilarity in growth and photosynthesis in the plants between the supplements of Mo and B in the soil, and the interrelation between Mo and B in plant and was co-supplementary to each other. Therefore, growth and photosynthesis of the soybean with Mo and B treatments were much more improved than those with Mo or B alone. Besides, some genotypic variation was found in three soybean varieties, in which Zhechun III was the most sensitive and 3811 the most tolerant plant to Mo and B.