Phytic acid in Indian soybean: genotypic variability and influence of growing location

Abstract

Abstract Phytic acid, the heat‐stable anti‐nutritional factor, was determined in 80 cultivars/strains of Indian soybean to identify genotypes that possess low concentrations of phytic acid. Variation of values of 28.6–46.4 g kg −1 soy flour was observed. Information on the influence of growing locations with widely differing soil types on phytic acid content being scarce, phytic acid in the mature dry seeds of eight Indian soybean cultivars grown over four locations was evaluated. Variation in different varieties at different locations was 27.8–45.0 g kg −1 soy flour. Averaged over eight genotypes, the maximum mean value for phytic acid was observed at Pantnagar and the minimum at Palampur. These differences in locational mean values for phytic acid can be explained on the basis of characteristics of the soils and environment. The higher mean value at Pantnagar may be attributed to higher soil organic phosphorus, nearly neutral pH and favorable temperature from flowering to maturity. However, the lower value observed at Palampur can be explained by the acidic nature of its soil, with lower maximum and minimum temperatures prevailing from flowering to maturity. Locational and genotypic × locational effects were found to be significant ( p < 0.01). The results indicated that soil characteristics and soil environment play a significant role in the accumulation of phytic acid in soybean seeds. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry