Effects of Polyamines and Iron on Iron Absorption, Yield, and Enzymatic Activity in Soybean

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
Fatemeh Sadat Ghamkhar 1
Seyed Mostafa Hoseini Mazinani 1
Alireza Pazoki 1
Mohammad Yousefi 2
1 Department of Agro-technology, YI. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2 Department of Chemistry, Te. Ms., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
10.48311/jast.2026.27770
Abstract
This study evaluated the influence of Polyamines (PAs), applied both individually and in combination with iron, on soybean yield and yield components over the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. The field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Azad University using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments consisted of foliar applications of 2 mM spermine, spermidine, and putrescine, each with and without 2 mM iron, as well as the combinations of 1 mM of polyamine with 3 mM iron to assess synergistic effects. Additionally, the iron sulfate and a control treatment were included. The results indicated that the treatments significantly affected the growth and yield components (such as plant height, pod number, seed weight, harvest index, seed protein and oil content) and the nutrient contents including Zn, Fe, B, N and Mg. The use of spermidine with iron treatment increased the seed weight by 71% compared to the control. Also, the application of polyamines combined with Fe resulted in a significant increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase (44%), peroxidase (63%), and catalase (43%) enzymes compared to the control. Notably, among the polyamines, spermidine combined with iron had the most significant effects on the studied traits and enzyme activity. These findings suggest that the application of polyamines with iron can significantly improve the soybean yield and yield components.
Keywords
Plant nutrients
Putrescine
Spermidine
Spermine
Subjects
1.       Abbas, G., Abrar, M. M., Naeem, M. A., Siddiqui, M. H., Ali, H.M. and Li, Y. 2022. Biochar Increases Salt Tolerance and Grain Yield of Quinoa on Saline-Sodic Soil: Multivariate Comparison of Physiological and Oxidative Stress Attributes. J. Soils Sediments, 22: 1446–1459.
2.       Abbas, G., Amjad, M., Saqib, M., Murtaza, B., Asif, N.M. and Shabbir, A. 2021. Soil Sodicity is more Detrimental than Salinity for Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.): A Multivariate Comparison of Physiological, Biochemical and Nutritional Quality Aattributes. J. Agron. Crop Sci., 207: 59–73.
3.       Alet, A. I., Sanchez, D. H., Cuevas, J. C., Marina, M., Carrasco, P., Altabella, T., Tiburcio, A. F. and Ruiz, O. A. 2012. New Insights into the Role of Spermine in Arabidopsis thaliana under Long-Term Salt Stress. Plant. Sci. 182: 94-100.
4.       Amani, M. 2020. The Effect of Polyamines on Growth and Yield of Soybean (Glycine max L.) under Drought Stress. MSc Thesis, Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran, 130 PP.
5.       Askary, M., Talebi, S. M., Amini, F. and Dousti Balout Bangan, A. 2017. Effects of Iron Nanoparticles on Mentha piperita L. under Salinity Stress. Biologija, 63(1): 65-75.
6.       Briat, J.F., Dubos, C. and Gaymard, F. 2015. Iron Nutrition, Biomass Production and Plant Product Quality. Trends Plant Sci., 20(1): 33-40.
7.       Chen, J., Wu, F. H., Shang, Y. T., Wang, W. H., Hu, W. J., Simon, M., Liu, X., Shangguan, Z. P. and Zheng, H. L. 2015. Hydrogen Sulphide Improves Adaptation of Zea Mays Seedlings to Iron deficiency. J. Exp. Bot., 66: 6605–6622.
8.       Chen, W. W., Yang, J. L., Qin, C., Jin, C.W., Mo, J. H., Ye, T. and Zheng, S. J. 2010. Nitric Oxide Acts Downstream of Auxin to Trigger Root Ferric-Chelate Reductase Activity in Response to Iron Deficiency in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol., 154: 810–819.
9.       Cheng, H., Gan, Y., Zheng, X., Meng, Z., Zhao, F., Feng, W., Guo, R., Song, X. and Zhao, Q. 2025. Plant Growth Regulators Improve Soybean Yield in Northwest China Through Nutritional and Hormonal Regulation. Agronomy, 15(10): 2422.
10.    Ehsanfar, S., Sorooshzadeh, A., Modarres-Sanavy, S. A. M. and Ghorbani Javid, M. 2018. Effect of Corm Size and Corm Soaking in Polyamines on Yield and Vegetative and Qualitative Traits of Saffron. Crops Improv. (J. Agric. Crops Prod.), 20(2): 467-485. (in Persian with English Abstract)
11.    El-Abagy, H. M. H., Rashad El-Sh, M., Abdel-Mawgoud, A. M. R. and El-Greadly, N. H. M. 2010. Physiological and Biochemical Effects of Some Bioregulators on Growth, Productivity and Quality of Artichoke (Cynara Scolymus L.). Res. J. Agric. Biol. Sci., 6: 683-690.
12.    Fadlallah, B., Fadlallah, A., Razafsha, M., Karnib, N., Wang, K., & Kobeissy, F. 2019. Robust Detection of Epilepsy Using Weighted-Permutation Entropy: Methods and Analysis. In: "Leveraging Biomedical and Healthcare Data", (Eds.): Kobeissy, F., Alawieh, A., Zaraket, F. A. and Wang, K. Academic Press, PP. 91–106.
13.    Ghanbari, S., Nooshkam, A., Fakheri, B. A. and Mahdinezhad N. 2019. Relationship between Yield and its Component in Soybean Genotypes (Glycine Max L.) using Multivariate Statistical Methods. J. Crop Breed., 11(29): 85-92. (in Persian)
14.    Graziano, M. and Lamattina, L. 2007. Nitric Oxide Accumulation Is Required for Molecular and Physiological Responses to Iron Deficiency in Tomato Roots. Plant J., 52: 949–960.
15.    Graziano, M., Beligni, M. V. and Lamattina, L. 2002. Nitric Oxide ImprovesI iron Availability in Plants. Plant Physiol., 130: 1852–1859.
16.    Guleria, S., Sharma, S. and Munshi, S. K. 2007. Compositional Changes in Soybean (Glycine max L.) Seeds Influenced by Their Positions on Stem Axis. J. Food. Sci. Technol., 44: 607–610.
17.    Gülser, F., Yavuz, H., Gökkaya, T. and Sedef, M. 2019. Effects of Iron Sources and Doses on Plant Growth Criteria in Soybean Seedlings. Eurasian J. Soil Sci., 8(4): 298 – 303.
18.    Hande Alici, E. and Arabaci, G. 2016. Determination of SOD, POD, PPO and CAT Enzyme Activities in Rumex obtusifolius L. Ann. Res. Rev. Biol., 11(3): 1-7.
19.    Heidarian, A. R., Kord, H., Mostafavi, K., Lak, A. P. and Amini Mashhadi, F. 2011. Investigating Fe and Zn Foliar Application on Yield and Its Components of Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr.) at Different Growth Stages. J. Agric. Biotech. Sustain. Dev., 3(9): 189 -197.
20.    Hussein, M., Nadia, M., EL-Gereadly, H. M. and EL-Desuki, M. 2006. Role of Putrescine in Resistance to Salinity of Pea Plants (Pisum sativum L.). Appl. Sci. Res., 2: 598-604.
21.    Iftikhar, A., Abbas, G., Saqib, M., Shabbir, A., Amjad, M., Shahid, M. and Qaisrani, S. A. 2022. Salinity Modulates Lead (Pb) Tolerance and Phytoremediation Potential of Quinoa: A Multivariate Comparison of Physiological and Biochemical Attributes. Environ. Geochem. Health, 44: 257–272.
22.    Iqbal, H., Yaning, C., Waqas, M., Shareef, M. and Raza, S. T. 2018. Differential Response of Quinoa Genotypes to Drought and Foliage-Applied H2O2 in Relation to Oxidative Damage, Osmotic Adjustment and Antioxidant Capacity. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf., 164: 344–354.
23.    Jin, C. W., Du, S. T., Chen, W. W., Li, G. X., Zhang, Y. S. and Zheng, S. J. 2009. Elevated Carbon Dioxide Improves Plant Iron Nutrition through Enhancing the Iron-Deficiency-Induced Responses under Iron-Limited Conditions in Tomato. Plant Physiol. 150: 272–280
24.    Kausano, T., Berberich, T., Tateda, C. and Takahashi, Y. 2008. Polyamines: Essential Factors for Growth and Survival. Planta, 228: 367-381.
25.    Kong, W. W., Zhang, L. P., Guo, K., Liu, Z. P., Yang, Z. M. 2010. Carbon Monoxide Improves Adaptation of Arabidopsis to Iron Deficiency. Plant Biotechnol. J., 8: 88–99.
26.    Krishna, A., Singh, G., Kumar, D. and Agarwal, K. 2003. Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Some New Varieties of Soybean. J. Food Sci. Technol., 40: 490–492.
27.    Mahqob, M. H., Abd El Aziz, N. G. and Mazhar, M. A. 2011. Response of Dahilia pinnata L. Plant to Foliar Spray with Putrescine and Thiamine on Growth, Flowering and Photosynthetic Pigments. Am.-Eurasian J. Agric. Environ. Sci., 10: 769-775.
28.    Malakouti, M. J. and Tehrani, M. M. 2005. Role of Micronutrients on the Yield and Quality of Agricultural Crops and Enhancing Human Health. Micronutrients with Macro Effects. Completely Revised, 3rd Edition, Tarbiat Modaress University Publications No. 89, Tehran, Iran.
29.    Mirzashahi, K., Nourgholipour, F. and Samavat, S. 2017. Effects of Two Fe-Fertilizers on Yield and Yield Components of Soybean Grown in the North of Khuzestan. Land Manag. J., 4(2): 191-201. (in Persian)
30.    Movahed, N., Eshghi, S., Tafazoli, E. and Jamali, B. 2012. Effects of Polyamines on Vegetative Characteristics, Growth, Flowering and Yield of Strawberry ('Paros' and 'Selva'). Acta Hortic., 926: 287-293.
31.    Murphy, D. J. 2025. Agronomy and Environmental Sustainability of the Four Major Global Vegetable Oil Crops: Oil Palm, Soybean, Rapeseed, and Sunflower. Agronomy, 15(6): 1465.
32.    Pál, M., Szalai, G., Kinga Gondor, O. and Janda, T. 2021. Unfinished Story of Polyamines: Role of Conjugation, Transport and Light-Related Regulation in the Polyamine Metabolism in Plants. Plant Sci., 308: 110923.
33.    Rahdari, P. 2019. Effect Of Premixing Of Spermidine And Polyethylene Glycol On Germination And Physiological And Morphological Activity In Triticum Durum Wheat With Salinity Stress. J. Plant Environ. Physiol., 14(55): 97-107.
34.    Rahdari, P. and Hoseini. S. M. 2013. Role of Poly Amines (Spermidine and Putrescine) on Protein, Chlorophyll and Phenolic Compounds in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under Salinity Stress. J. Nov. Appl. Sci., 2(12): 746-751.
35.    Ramteke, R., Kumar, V., Murlidharan, P. and Agarwal, D. K. 2010. Study on Genetic Variability and Traits Interrelationship among Released Soybean Varieties in India [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. Electron. J. Plant Breed., 1: 1483–1487.
36.    Rangan, P., Subramani, R., Kumar, R., Singh, A. K. and Singh, R. 2014. Recent Advances in Polyamine Metabolism and Abiotic Stress Tolerance. BioMed. Res. Int., Volume 2014, Article ID 239621, 9 PP.
37.    Rashid, N., Basra, S. M. A., Shahbaz, M., Iqbal, S. and Hafeez, M. B. 2018. Foliar Applied Moringa Leaf Extract Induces Terminal Heat Tolerance in Quinoa. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 20: 157–164.
38.    Rawia, A.E., Eid, L., Taha, S. and Ibrahiem, S. S. M. 2011. Alleviation of Adverse Effects of Salinity on Growth, and Chemical Constituents of Marigold Plants by Using Glutathione and Ascorbate. J. Appl. Sci. Res. 7: 714-721.
39.    Şahin, C. B. and İşler, N. 2021. Foliar Applied Zinc and Iron Effects on Yield and Yield Components of Soybean: Determination by PCA Analysis. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 52(3): 212–221.
40.    Sheikhzadeh, P., Amani, M., Khomari, S., Zare, N. and Razmi, N. 2022. Improvement of Soybean Physiological Traits and Yield under the End Season Drought Stress Conditions through the Foliar Spray of Nutrient Elements and Polyamine. Environ. Stress. Crop Sci., 15(3): 595-611. (in Persian)
41.    Shi, H. and Chan, Z. 2014. Improvement of Plant Abiotic Stress Tolerance through Modulation of the Polyamine Pathway. J. Integr. Plant Biol., 56: 114-121.
42.    Tang, W. and Newton, R. J. 2005. Polyamines Reduce Salt-Induced Oxidative Damage by Increasing the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes and Decreasing Lipid Peroxidation in Virginia Pine. Plant Growth Regul., 46: 31-43.
43.    Tun, N. N., Santa-Catarina, C., Begum, T., Silveira, V., Handro, W., Floh, E. I. and Scherer, G. F. 2006. Polyamines Induce Rapid Biosynthesis of Nitric Oxide (NO) in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings. Plant Cell Physiol., 47: 346–354.
44.    Zarza, X., Shabala, L., Fujita, M., Shabala, S., Haring, M.A., Tiburcio, A.F. and Munnik, T. 2019. Extracellular Spermine Triggers a Rapid Intracellular Phosphatidic Acid Response in Arabidopsis, Involving PLDδ Activation and Stimulating Ion Flux. Front. Plant Sci., 10: 601.
45.   Zhu, X. F., Wang, B., Song, W. F., Zheng, S. J., Shen, R. F. 2016. Putrescine Alleviates Iron Deficiency via NO-Dependent Reutilization of Root Cell-Wall Fe in Arabidopsis. Plant Physiol., 170: 558–567.
 
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 28, Issue 5
September and October 2026
Pages 1159-1170