Proline content and lectin activity in different soybean varieties during reproductive phases of development

O. O. Molodchenkova — 2025-09-24

Purpose. To investigate the content of free proline and lectin activity in soybean (Glycine max L.) of different varieties during the phases when they are most sensitive to moisture: the beginning and full flowering, and the formation and filling of beans. Methods. The research focused on the leaves from the two upper nodes of plants of 17 soybean varieties of domestic and foreign breeding. Free proline content was determined using a spectrophotometric method and lectin activity was determined using haemagglutination of trypsinised blood erythrocytes. The research results were statistically analysed using LibreOffice Calc (GNU Lesser General Public Licence v3). Results. Screening soybean varieties for proline content and lectin activity in plant leaves revealed varietal differences in reproductive phase development according to these indicators. These were significantly higher during the bean formation and filling stage than at the beginning and full flowering stage. A high correlation coefficient (r = 0.72 at P = 0.05) was found between moisture content and lectin activity during the bean formation and filling phase. Conclusions. Changes in proline content and lectin activity were observed during the three phases of plant development. The highest values were recorded during the formation and filling stages of bean development. This suggests that soybeans activate adaptive responses under unfavourable growing conditions, particularly drought. The results obtained allow us to recommend measuring lectin activity and proline content in plant leaves during the formation and filling stages of beans as an additional way of studying the adaptive potential of soybean varieties.

Features of the formation of protein content and wet gluten content of winter bread wheat depending on the preceding crop

I. V. Pravdziva — 2025-09-25

Purpose. To identify the features of the formation of protein content and wet gluten content of winter bread wheat varieties and breeding lines depending on different preceding crops in the conditions of the central part of the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. To identify genotypes with increased grain quality indicators. Methods. The influence of five preceding crops (soybean, sunflower, corn, mustard, green manure (mustard)) on the formation of protein content (PC) and wet gluten content (WGC) in flour of 18 winter bread wheat genotypes was studied from 2021/22 to 2023/24. Field, laboratory and statistical research methods were employed. Results. On average, a significantly higher protein content (12.5%) and gluten content (27.6%) were found after green manure over the years. However, a higher protein content was observed after soybeans of the ‘MIP Dovira’ variety (13.1%) and after corn of the Lutescens 37548 (13.6%), Lutescens 60302 (12.7%) and Lutescens 60400 (12.8%) breeding lines. A significantly higher wet gluten content was obtained after corn in the Lutescens 37548 breeding line (29.8%) and after mustard in the Lutescens 60302 breeding line (29.1%). The lowest values of these indicators were recorded over three years (PC = 9.7–12.3%, WGC = 13.0–25.8%) following a sunflower crop. However, the breeding lines Lutescens 37548 and Lutescens 60302 showed lower quality indicators following a preceding crop of soybean. Moderate variability (6 ≤ CV ≤ 10%) in protein content and significant variability (11 ≤ CV ≤ 20%) in gluten content were observed for most winter bread wheat varieties and breeding lines depending on the preceding crop. The influence of growing year conditions on protein (48.3%) and wet gluten (41.2%) content was significant, with the respective shares of the preceding crop and genotype being 9.9% and 17.2%, and 4.8% and 5.4%, respectively. A strong, reliable linear relationship (r = 0.83) was identified between protein and wet gluten content in winter bread wheat varieties and breeding lines. Breeding lines of winter bread wheat with a higher protein content were identified: Erythrospermum 60724, Erythrospermum 60793, Erythrospermum 60667, Lutescens 60293, Lutescens 60734 and Lutescens 37548. Breeding lines with a higher wet gluten content were also identified: Lutescens 60302. Conclusions. The selected genotypes can be used in the breeding process to improve individual grain quality indicators. To obtain a higher protein and gluten content, the variety ‘MIP Dovira’ should be sown after the preceding crop soybean, the breeding lines Lutescens 37548, Lutescens 60302, Lutescens 60400 should be sown after corn, and other winter wheat genotypes should be sown after green manure.

Plant varieties studying and protection

Proline content and lectin activity in different soybean varieties during reproductive phases of development

Features of the formation of protein content and wet gluten content of winter bread wheat depending on the preceding crop