Influence of Soybean Seed Size on Response to Atrazine

In the greenhouse, we examined approximately 2,700 strains of soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] for response to 2-chloro-4-(ethylamino)-6-(isopropylamino)-s-triazine (atrazine), a herbicide which inhibits photosynthesis. Duration of survival when grown in soil containing 0.84 kg/ha was the initial selection criterion. Strains thus selected as most tolerant and most susceptible were grown then for 3 to 3 ½ weeks in soil containing 0.45 kg/ha of atrazine. The dry weight of shoots expressed as a percentage of each strain's own untreated check was used to measure the strains' tolerance of atrazine. Tolerance, thus measured, generally increased as seed size increased. Regression analysis indicated that 80% of the variation in response was attributable to variation in seed size. We suggest the possibility of minimizing soybean injury from atrazine (and perhaps other herbicides) by planting large seed.