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

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

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.

Plant varieties studying and protection

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