Effect of Phosphorus and Sulphur on Nutrient and Amino Acids Content of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) under ‘Alfisols’

A field experiment was conducted at KVK, Srinagar Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir, India, during two consecutive kharif seasons of 2010 and 2011 to study the “Effect of phosphorus and sulphur on yield and quality of soybean (Glycine max L. Merill) under Eutrochrepts”. The experiment was laid down under 16 treatment combinations viz four levels of phosphorus (0, 30, 60, 90 kg P2O5 ha-1) and four levels of sulphur (0, 15, 30, 45 kg S ha-1) in randomized complete block design with three replication. At higher levels of phosphorus application, Zn content of seed decreased and it was maximum at 30 kg P2O5 ha-1. With application of 45 kg S ha-1, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S content in seed was 6.54, 0.555, 1.881, 0.329, 0.434 and 0.501% respectively while as Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn was 109.99, 99.96, 2.82 and 3.73 mg kg-1, respectively. A significant interaction between P and S on macro as well as micronutrient content except Zn in seed was observed. Combined application of phosphorus and sulphur further enhanced the nutrient content of soybean seed. Combined application of phosphorus and sulphur enhanced the crude protein and oil content in soya seed 1. Combined application of 45 kg S and 90 kg P2O5 ha-1 recorded significantly higher carbohydrate content (23.49%) in soybean seed. Increasing levels of phosphorus and sulphur resulted in gradual increase in linoleic (Omega-6) and linolenic acid (Omega-3). Individual as well as interaction effect of P and S was significant in enhancing the sulphur containing amino acids viz., cystine cystein and methionine content of soybean seed.