Effects of different element deficiencies on soybean growth and root morphology

A hydroponic culture was carried out to study the element deficiency symptoms, plant biomass and root morphology of soybean genotypes, BX10 and BD2, under the N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S and Fe deficient treatments. The results show that the element deficiencies have significant effects on soybean growth. Plant biomasses are obviously decreased under the different element deficiency treatments. Both shoots and roots of plants show the specific symptoms under the different element deficiencies. In addition, total root lengths and surface areas are significantly decreased under N, K, Ca, Mg and Fe deficient treatments. The responses of BX10 and BD2 to the element deficiencies show genotypic variation.