Application of near infrared spectroscopy for determination of relationship between crop year, maturity group, location, and carbohydrate composition in soybeans

Over 40,000 discrete samples of soybeans ( Glycine max ) were obtained from locations around the United States grown during the years 2013–2018. The samples were ground and scanned on near infrared spectrometer (NIRS). The carbohydrate composition—sucrose, raffinose family oligosaccharides, total soluble sugar composition, total insoluble sugars, and total uronic acids—was determined by prediction using NIRS calibration models. Multiple linear regression models were developed using about 2,300 soybean samples and an additional 700 samples for validation with NIRS scans and carbohydrate composition measurements using analytical methods. Relationship between carbohydrates and the agronomic traits of the soybeans were determined. It was found that crop year, maturity group, and location had a significant effect on the carbohydrate composition of soybeans. NIRS is an accurate, rapid, and nondestructive method to determine carbohydrate composition in large numbers of soybeans.