Recent research published in the Journal of Central European Agriculture has shed light on how cold stress affects the photosynthetic performance of warm-season crops, specifically soybean and maize. Conducted by lead author Maja Matoša Kočar, the study highlights critical differences in how these two types of crops respond to low temperatures, which is increasingly relevant as climate variability poses risks for agricultural productivity.
The study found that early sowing, intended to avoid summer heat stresses, can inadvertently expose crops like soybean (C3 photosynthesis) and maize (C4 photosynthesis) to cold stress, particularly in regions like Croatia. This is significant as both crops are vital for food supply chains and agricultural economies.
Key findings indicate that low temperatures severely impact the photosynthetic efficiency of both crops. Notably, the performance index of overall photochemistry (PItotal) showed that maize’s performance was consistently higher than that of soybean under optimal conditions. However, when subjected to cold stress, the gap widened dramatically. “The PItotal of C4 maize was 41.5%, 34.4%, and 42.9% higher than the PItotal of C3 soybean at the first, second, and third measurements under optimal environmental conditions,” Kočar noted. This suggests that while maize generally performs better, it struggles significantly under cold stress compared to soybean.
Interestingly, the research revealed that maize suffered greater damage to its photosystem II (PSII) at lower temperatures, indicating a less effective coping and repair mechanism. In contrast, soybean demonstrated a more robust adaptive response by reducing its overall photosynthetic efficiency, which helped it maintain better water retention and dry matter loss.
These findings have important implications for the agricultural sector, particularly in light of climate change. As farmers consider planting schedules and crop varieties, understanding these physiological responses can guide decisions that optimize yield and resilience. For the energy sector, this research opens up opportunities for developing agricultural practices that align with energy sustainability goals. Enhanced crop resilience can lead to more stable biomass production for bioenergy, which is increasingly sought after as a renewable energy source.
The insights from this study provide a clearer picture of the challenges posed by climate variability and the adaptive strategies that crops like soybean can employ. As the agricultural landscape continues to evolve, research like this will be crucial in informing both farming practices and energy production strategies.
