Ultraviolet-B Radiation Alters Soybean Growth and Seed Quality.

Ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation effects on soybean seed quality is limited. The objective of this study was to quantify UV-B doses, 0, 5, 10 & 15 kJ m^-2 d^-1, on soybean growth and seed quality. Increased UV-B did not influence many of the growth parameters because of the treatments were imposed at mid-fruiting period. Seed quality parameters that are important for seed industry and human and animal nutrition were all affected by UV-B. Protein and palmitic and oleic acids declined linearly, while oil and linoleic and linolenic acids contents increased with increased UV-B. Sucrose, stachyose and steric acid contents showed quadratic trends; increased to about 4-5 kJ of UV-B and declined at higher doses. Thus, both current and projected UV-B radiation levels can modify soybean growth and seed quality. The functional algorithms developed in this study could be useful to develop UV-B-specific sub-models for soybean farm management and in policy decision areas.