Effect of Spraying Foliar Amino Acids with Micronutrients on Seed Yield and Its Quality of Some Soybean Varieties Under Reclaimed Soil Conditions in Upper Egypt

Abstract

Background and Objective: Agriculture in Upper Egypt faces challenges due to the region's high salinity and high temperatures. A field trial was conducted in 2021 and 2022 summer seasons at the newly reclaimed soils of the Agricultural Research Station of Al-Marashda, Qena Governorate, Egypt. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar spraying of amino acids with micronutrients in addition to water (as control), on seed yield and its quality of Giza 21, Crawford and Giza 111 under reclaimed soil conditions in Upper Egypt. Materials and Methods: Twelve treatments were the combinations between foliar spraying of four rates of amino acids with micronutrients (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 cm 3 /L in addition to water as control) and three soybean varieties (Giza 111, Giza 21 and Crawford). The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates, foliar spraying of amino acids with micronutrient rates was assigned in the main plots and the three soybean varieties were distributed in the sub-plots. Results: The Giza 111 variety showed superior performance compared to other varieties, exhibiting the highest vegetative growth when treated with 2.0 cm 3 /L of amino acids and micronutrients on its leaves. At harvest, foliar spraying of amino acids with micronutrients at a rate of 2.0 cm 3 /L on soybean plants led to superior seed yield and its components, as well as seed quality, compared to the other rates. Similarly, Giza 111 outperformed Crawford in terms of pod number/plant, seed yield/plant and seed yield/fad, as well as seed quality. Conclusion: The Giza 111 exhibited a significant increase in seed yield and its quality when treated with 2.0 cm 3 /L of amino acids with micronutrients, leading to the highest profitability under environmental conditions in Upper Egypt.