Chlorophyll a fluorescence as tool in breeding drought stress-tolerant soybean

Mitigating the effects of changing climate with adaptable cultivars while reducing input burden additional selection criteria is becoming a priority, especially as water shortage limiting soybean production in Europe. To evaluate functionality photosynthetic apparatus drought, chlorophyll (Chl a) fluorescence was measured 16 elite lines drought and conditions sufficient supply V2 (second node), R1 (beginning bloom), R4 (full pod), R5 seed) R6 stages. Developmental stage significant source variation for all parameters, PItotal chosen most sensitive parameter detecting average effect. Genotypes G5, G9, G10 had superior overall functioning G12 G16 least functional. The effect determined to be relevant R1, R6. G14 highest R4, G9 drought-stressed G7 lowest G4 G6 G8 proved useful breeding abiotic stress tolerance, excluding material poorest function, which increases efficiency process when large number genotypes needs screened. However, should further tested yield trials confirm their tolerance value use conditions.