Soybean Seed Composition Is Influenced by Within‐field Variability in Soil Nutrients

There is limited information on the effects of within‐field variability in soil nutrient concentrations on seed composition in soybean [Glycine max (L) Merr.]. A study was conducted on a 18.8‐ha grower field in Stoneville MS in 2005 and 2006 to evaluate the effects of soil nutrient variability across field on seed composition constituents (protein, oil, fatty acids, and minerals). Soil and seed samples were collected from low yield (L), medium yield (M), and high yield (H) areas (plot) across the field. Results showed that seed collected from L areas had lower protein and oleic fatty acid percentages than those of M or H. Soil samples from L had lower organic matter and lower concentrations of N, C, K, B, and Zn in soil compared with those of either M or H. The results indicate that maintaining adequate nutrients in soil may result in higher seed protein and oleic acid, but lower seed oil and linolenic acid.