Agronomic Characteristics of Three Soybean Varieties at Different Levels of Genistein

Due to ozone layer depletion, UVradiation will be more prevalent on Earth'ssurface. UV-B light (280–320 nm) can be hazardous because it damages cells. Plants are vulnerable to increasing UV-B radiation because several biological components, including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and quinones, can directly absorb UV-B radiation. According to Kakani et al. (2003), increased UV-B exposure causes plants to photosynthesize slowly. This effect is caused by extracting photosynthetic gene expression, reduced Rubisco activity, altered thylakoid ion membrane permeability, and changes in chlorophyll and carotenoid levels. (Gaberscik et al., 2002).

According to Diffey (1991), the annual UV-B radiation flux decreases with increasing distance from the equator. Crop productivity is higher in mid-latitude nations like China, Korea, and Japan since UV-B radiation exposure is lower than in Indonesia. As compared to China'ssoybean production of 12.943 million tons (Myers, 2014), which was more significant than Indonesia'snational soybean production of 0.63 million tonnes in 2020, Korea'ssoybean production climbed to 154,067 MT in the 2013/2014 planting season, up 31,548 MT (26%) from the previous year. (Ministry of Agriculture, 2021) UVlight and exposure duration mainly contribute to Indonesia'slow soybean productivity (Sumarno et al., 2007). UV-B radiation'sphotobiological effect generates free radicals and damages cells (Baumann and Allemann, 2009). Free radicals can harm proteins, amino acids, protective enzymes, and the structure and function of cells (Refdi, et al., 2014). They can also diminish the performance of substances in the body (Fisher, 2002). Biomolecules like DNA, RNA, proteins, and membranes can become damaged when exposed to UV-B radiation at high fluences or overextended periods. (Alseekn et al., 2020). The formation of flavonoid molecules is a natural response of Leguminocae plants to UV-B exposure. In addition, flavonoids show protective effects against biotic and abiotic stressful situations, such as pathogen infections, exposure to UV-B and high-fluence white light, drought, cold, salt, and herbivore attacks (Falcone Ferreyra et al., 2012). There are 12 isoflavones in soybeans, including three aglycones called genistein, daidzein, and glycerin, all produced in reaction to UVlight and herbivorous insects (Zavala et al., 2015, Piubelli et al., 2005). The primary, secondary metabolite of soybeans, genistein, is a natural isoflavonoid with several beneficial properties. (Polkowski, 2000). It takes a lot of energy to produce secondary metabolites, which inhibits pod filling and growth (Xing et al., 2014). The energy required to synthesize isoflavones can increase soybean plant growth and production by reducing the effects of UV-B radiation.

Exogenous isoflavones can boost soybean production in milk, tofu, flour, protein concentrate, soy protein isolate, and other processed soy foods that are not fermented (Coward et al., 1998). Exogenous isoflavones are given as sunscreen to lessen exposure to UV-B rays. A thin layer of isoflavones can tolerate most UV-B radiation because of one of the characteristics of UV-B light, which has deficient penetrating power. Reduced UV-B exposure can inhibit the generation of endogenous isoflavones, allowing soybean plants to grow and produce more using that energy instead of producing endogenous isoflavones. Deja1 is a water stress-tolerant soybean variety created by a single cross between the Tanggamus variety and Anjasmoro (Balitkabi) (Anggraini, 2020). Deja1 has more trichomes than Derap1, Detam1, Detam2, and Dering1 types (Pandjaitan, 2021). Argomulya and IAC were crossed to create the shade-tolerant soybean variety known as Dena1 (Balitkabi). Dena1 has the highest antioxidant activity (80.23% DPPH inhibition), total phenolic content (4.18 mg GAE/g), and total flavonoid content (4.23 mg QE/g) (Aurelia, 2022). The excellent soybean variety Dena1 is resistant to pests and diseases (Balitkabi, 2015). In addition, Dena1 has the highest concentrations of chlorophyll a, b,and the chlorophyll a/bratio (Noya et al., 2019) Demas1 is a variety made by crossing Mansuria and SJthat can survive in dry, acidic soils (Balitkabi). Demas-1 soybeans grow better in acidic soils because they are genetically resistant to acid. (Selvia et al, 2019).

This research aimed to present scientific data on the agronomic characteristics of three soybean varieties at different genistein concentrations. Experiments were done to see how each type would react to genistein concentrations. The study'sfindings are anticipated to be applied as a recommendation to administer genistein to three soybean types to boost production.