Foliar potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and manganese content in soybean cultivars at different stages of development

Abstract

Plant tissue accumulation of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn) was determined for six soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivars at successive stages of development. No nutrient accumulation patterns among the cultivars were found. The results obtained showed that the highest concentrations of K were found at the vegetative stage (V) and the lowest towards the end of the life cycle of the plant (R55). By contrast, Ca was lowest at the vegetative stage while increasing in the leaves in later growth stages. No significant differences in Mg content were found between growth stages. Manganese levels were lower at R2 and R4 than at R55 stages of growth with an accumulation towards the end of the reproductive cycle. Changes in Zn content between stages were different for each cultivar. The differing behavior of these elements is related to the difference in their mobility and transport capacities within the plant.