Effects of Phosphorus and Boron Coupled Deficiency on Soybean Growth, Phosphorus,Boron Uptake and the Genetic Variations

Five soybean genotypes contrasting in P efficiency were employed to investigate the effects of different P and B treatments on soybean growth, P, B uptake, and the genetic variations at different growth stages.The results showed: different P and B treatments significantly affected soybean growth, and there were significant interactions between P and B. Among which, P availability was the primary factor on soybean growth and B uptake. At the same B level, increasing P availability could significantly increase soybean plant dry mass, grain yield and P, B uptake. At the normal P level, increasing B availability only increased plant dry mass and P, B uptake of the P efficient genotypes, but not the P inefficient genotypes, particularly at mature stage. Improving B status could significantly increase the yield of P efficient soybean genotypes.