Uniconazole and diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate increase soybean pod setting and yield by regulating sucrose and starch content

BACKGROUND Uniconazole (S3307) and diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA‐6) are known plant growth regulators (PGRs). However, it is unknown if their regulation of sucrose and starch content can affect pod setting and yield in soybean. Herein, S3307 and DA‐6 were foliar sprayed on soybean Hefeng50 and Kangxian6 at the beginning of the bloom cycle in field tests conducted over two years. RESULTS PGRs promoted the accumulation and distribution of plant biomass and significantly improved leaf photosynthetic rates. Sucrose and starch content increased after PGR treatment across organs and varieties. Accumulation and allocation of sucrose and starch content in soybean source organs are enhanced by PGRs, which supply high levels of assimilate to sink organs. Moreover, sucrose and starch contents in source and sink organs are positively correlated. S3307 and DA‐6 also significantly increased pod setting rates and reduced flower and pod abscission rates, leading to increased yield. CONCLUSION S3307 and DA‐6 promoted the accumulation and availability of sucrose and starch content in source organs and increased sucrose and starch content in flowers and pods or seeds, thereby maintaining the balance between source and sink organs and contributing to increased pod setting rates and soybean yield. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry