Effects of foliar applications of methanol on soybean growth, yield and seed composition

This study was conducted at two locations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to determine the effects of foliar applications of methanol on growth, yield and seed composition of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), Corsica cultivar (indeterminate, Group IV), when applied at the pod-filling (R5) stage. For this study, a split-plot design was used with treatments consisting of three applications (1, 2 and 3) as the main-plot and three methanol concentrations (0%, 25% and 50%) as sub-plots. The first treatment of methanol was applied at the pod-filling (R5) stage and subsequent applications (2nd and 3rd) followed at one week interval. Seed yield/ha was estimated from a 1 m2 harvest area. Plant growth and seed composition were determined from 10 randomly selected plants from the inner two rows of each sub-plot. Data were analyzed using GLM Procedures of SAS and LSDs performed at the 0.01 and 0.05 probability levels. Results revealed that seed yield/ha of soybean plants treated with one application of 25% methanol was significantly different from the control at the 0.05 level of probability. This treatment (one application of 25% methanol) increased yield by 36% to 64% over the control. It was concluded from this study that one foliar application of 25% methanol at R5 was the best treatment to enhance soybean yield.