Growth and chemical composition of soybeans as affected by trifluralin and soil salinity

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Abstract
Summary: The combined effects of 0, 1 and 2 ppm trifluralin and five soil salinity levels (0.35, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mS/cm) on growth and chemical composition of soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were studied in a glasshouse experiment. Analyses of variance indicated that the interaction of soil salinity and trifluralin was not significant for root and top dry weights and root nodulation. Root dry weight was not affected by trifluralin, whereas 2 ppm trifluralin significantly reduced top dry yield and root nodulation. Shoot and root yields and root nodulation were reduced with increasing soil salinity.Trifluralin at 1 ppm significantly decreased P concentration and at 2 ppm substantially increased N concentration. Moreover, there was a general trend of an increase in N concentration and a decrease in P concentration with salinity.The concentration and uptake of Cl and Na increased with increasing soil salinity. Probably large accumulations of Cl and Na and/or water stress caused by high salinity were responsible for growth reductions in salinized media.