Sulfur Dioxide Effects on Yield and Seed Quality in Field-Grown Soybeans

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Field plots of soybeans were periodically exposed to elevated levels of SO2 (mean concentrations ranging 0.09-0.79 ppm during fumigation) with an open-air fumigation system which mainimized disruption of the normal crop enviroment. Although visible injury was obsered in only 2 plots, yield at harvest was reduced in every fumigated plot compared to nearby unfumigated control plots. These yield decreases ranged 5%-48.% and were somewhat greater than might have been expected from previous studies. Yield reductions seemed to be due to decreases in both the mean weight per seed and the number of seeds per plant. Harvest ratio (the ratio of bean weight to chaff weight at harvest) also was reduced in the more heavily fumigated plots. Seed quality was affected less than seed yield, although at the higher exposure levels protein content decreased slightly and concentrations of some mineral elements were altered.