Performance of soybean in hydromorphic and nonhydromorphic soil under irrigated or rainfed conditions

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate soybean cultivation in a hydromorphic or nonhydromorphic soil, with or without supplemental irrigation. Field experiments were carried out with the TECIRGA 6070RR and A 6411RG cultivars in highlands (nonhydromorphic soils) and lowlands (hydromorphic soils), which are traditionally cultivated with irrigated rice. The following parameters were determined in both soybean cultivars: leaf area index, developmental stages, dry matter partition, and leaf gas exchange. Low water stresses, which commonly occur either by deficit or excess in soybean areas cultivated in hydromorphic soils, do not affect the development and partitioning of dry matter; however, they cause reductions in stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, and leaf area evolution. Growing soybean in lowlands exposes plants to water stress, even in years with well-distributed rainfall during the growing season, due to the low water storage capacity of these soils.