Factors Affecting Linolenic and Linoleic Acid Content of Soybean Oil1

Synopsis Linolenic acid content of soybean oil from location and variety composites varied from about 5% to about 8.5% and linoleic acid varied from about 46% to about 54%. The levels of both fatty acids were closely, but inversely correlated with temperature. Changes in environmental factors such as photoperiod, light intensity and quality, N, P, K, and S nutrition, or the addition of manure or plant residues had little or no effect on the levels of these fatty acids.