Nodule Formation and Nitrogen Use Efficiency Are Important for Soybean to Adapt to Water and P Deficit Conditions

Drought stress and phosphorus (P) deficit decrease soybean P nitrogen (N) accumulation, which limits productivity. Therefore, traits related to N uptake and/or their efficient utilization are important for adaptation P- water-deficit conditions. We hypothesize that increasing nodulation enhance uptake, improving use efficiency (PUE NUE) the of drought low To test this hypothesis, we selected four genotypes with different nodule dry weight (DW) yield performance a pot experiment under two water treatments [well-watered (WW) cycle (WS)] three levels [0 (P0, low), 60 (P60, mid), 120 (P120, high) mg kg−1 soil on top 40 cm]. Our study showed significantly decreased limited seed both WS WW addition increased (DW), thus uptake. Increasing DW required high use, while there was no relationship found between WS, positive shown. Partitioning more matter could improve NUE PUE. did not change NUE, is determination P0 but has effect WW. conclude formation improved diminished loss While reflects N, can availability, does impair propose nodules breeders tolerance water- P-deficit