Soybean (Glycine max L.) Response to Aluminum Stress in The Vegetative Phase

Abstract

One of the problems in increasing soybean crop production in Indonesia is the need for more suitable land for soybean cultivation. One solution is to utilize coastal land to expand the planting area. The issue with coastal land is its low pH and high Al content. Consequently, it is essential to determine soybean cultivars tolerant to Al stress. This study aimed to explain the response of soybean growth to Al stress in the vegetative phase and to assess soybean varieties that are tolerant to aluminum (Al) stress. The research was conducted from March to May 2022 in the Greenhouse and Agronomy Laboratory, Department of Agricultural Cultivation, Faculty of Agriculture, Bengkulu University, Indonesia. The study used three repetitions of a two-factorial, Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The first factor was soybean varieties consisting of the Deja and Gepak Kuning varieties. The second factor was the concentration of Aluminum Stress which consisted of three levels, namely 0 μM (control), 74 μM, and 148 μM. The results showed that Al stress did not affect the growth of soybean plants in the vegetative phase. Soybean variety Deja was more tolerant than Gepak Kuning in both Al stress concentrations of 74 μM and 148 μM.