Response of Leaf Water Potential and Growth Characteristics to Irrigation Treatment in Soybean

Soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are frequently exposed to unfavorable environments during growing seasons and water is the most important factor limiting for the production system. The purpose of this study was to determine the leaf water potential changes by irrigation, and to evaluate the relationships of leaf water potential, growth and yield in soybeans. Three soybean cultivars, Hwangkeumkong, Shinpaldalkong 2, and Pungsannamulkong, were planted in growth chamber and field with irrigated treatments. Leaf water potential of three soybean cultivars was positively correlated with leaf water content during vegetative and reproductive growth stages in growth chamber and field experiments. Leaf water potentials measured for three soybean cultivars under growth chamber were higher than those of under field conditions. Higher leaf water potential with irrigated plots under field was observed compared to conventional plots during reproductive growth stages. Leaf water potentials of three soybean cultivars were continually decreased during reproductive growth stages under field and there was no significant difference among them. Number of leaves, leaf water content, pod dry weight, number of seeds and seed dry weight with irrigated plots were higher than those of conventional plots. The results of this study suggested that leaf water potential could be used as an important growth indicator during the growing season of soybean plants.