Welcome to Acta Agronomica Sinica，

Acta Agronomica Sinica

   

Comprehensive evaluation of salt-alkali tolerance and yield stability in soybean at different growth stages under saline-alkali soil conditions in Ningxia, China

Li Tong1,2,Wu Hong-Liang1,Wang Qian2,Ji Yue-Mei2,*,Kang Jian-Hong1,*   

  1. 1 College of Agriculture, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, Ningxia, China; 2 Crop Research Institute, Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Yinchuan 750002, Ningxia, China
  • Received:2026-04-16 Revised:2026-08-21 Accepted:2026-08-21 Published:2026-08-26
  • Supported by:
    This study was supported by the Ningxia Natural Science Foundation (2026AAC020111), the Autonomous Region Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Project of the Ningxia Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (NKYG-2024-01), and the China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA (CARS-04).

PDF

3

Abstract: To address the threat posed by the expansion of saline-alkali land to soybean production in Ningxia and the shortage of soybean varieties combining salt-alkali tolerance with yield stability, 45 soybean varieties were evaluated. A mixed saline-alkali solution consistent with the ionic composition of saline-alkali soils in Ningxia was prepared at a molar ratio of NaCl∶Na2CO3∶Na2SO4∶NaHCO3 = 10∶1∶10∶7 to evaluate salt-alkali tolerance at the germination and seedling stages. Salt-alkali tolerance was also assessed throughout the growth period under saline-alkali field conditions in Ningxia. Salt-alkali tolerance coefficients were calculated based on key morphological and physiological traits at different growth stages. Principal component analysis and membership function analysis were used to conduct comprehensive evaluations and classify salt-alkali tolerance grades at each stage. Stepwise regression was further used to construct prediction models for salt-alkali tolerance at different growth stages. In addition, the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method was applied by integrating salt-alkali tolerance scores from different growth stages with relative yield to screen soybean varieties with both high salt-alkali tolerance and yield stability. Based on the comprehensive salt-alkali tolerance scores, 3, 17, 20, and 5 varieties were classified as Grade I, Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV, respectively, at the germination stage. A germination-stage prediction model was established using relative germination energy, relative germination rate, relative single-seed fresh weight, and relative single-seed dry weight: D = ?0.245+0.224X1+0.207X2+0.414X3+0.175X4 (R2 = 0.991, P < 0.01). At the seedling stage, 1, 13, 22, and 9 varieties were classified as Grade I, Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV, respectively. A seedling-stage prediction model was established using six indicators, namely relative shoot fresh weight, relative root dry weight, relative shoot dry weight, relative total root length, relative plant height, and relative total root surface area: D = ?0.016+0.152Y1+0.043Y2+0.095Y3+0.117Y4+0.134Y5+0.114Y6 (R2 = 0.957, P < 0.01). During the whole growth period, 4, 30, 10, and 1 varieties were classified as Grade II, Grade III, Grade IV, and Grade V, respectively. A whole-growth-period prediction model was established using six indicators, namely relative plant height, relative fifth-node height, relative pods per plant, relative seed weight per plant, relative 100-seed weight, and relative emergence rate: D = ?0.441+0.320Z1+0.306Z2+0.131Z3+0.153Z4+0.128Z5+0.209Z6 (R2 = 0.964, P < 0.01). The comprehensive evaluation combining salt-alkali tolerance scores across the three growth stages with relative yield showed that Ninghuang LD52, Ninghuang 8, Ninghuang 16LD1, Ninghuang 18, Liaodou 88, Ninghuang 16LD27, Ninghuang 7, and Zhonghuang 685 performed well in both salt-alkali tolerance and yield stability, indicating their potential for further promotion and application in saline-alkali soils of Ningxia. This study identified salt-alkali-tolerant and yield-stable soybean varieties suitable for regional cultivation and established a comprehensive evaluation method for salt-alkali tolerance in soybean at different growth stages under saline-alkali soil conditions in Ningxia.

Key words: soybean, saline-alkali stress, identification of saline-alkali-tolerant varieties, yield stability, comprehensive evaluation

[1] 宋若莹, 张海燕, 周治全, 等. 西北典型区盐碱地治理政策的发展与演变特征. 水土保持通报, 2025, 45(5): 294–304.
Song R Y, Zhang H Y, Zhou Z Q, et al. Development and evolution characteristics of saline-alkali land management policies in typical regions of northwestern China. Bull Soil Water Conserv, 2025, 45(5): 294–304 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[2] Wang G Z, Ni G, Feng G, et al. Saline-alkali soil reclamation and utilization in China: progress and prospects. Front Agric Sci Eng, 2024, 11: 216–228.

[3] 贾壮壮, 谭亚男, 管孝艳, 等. 宁夏盐碱地成因及分区治理措施综述. 灌溉排水学报, 2023, 42(5): 122–134.
Jia Z Z, Tan Y N, Guan X Y, et al. Saline-alkali soil formation and its remediation strategies in different regions of Ningxia: a comprehensive review. J Irrig Drain, 2023, 42(5): 122–134 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[4] 郭军成, 王明国, 耿荣, 等. 宁夏银北灌区盐碱地盐渍化特征分析. 中国农学通报, 2021, 37(5): 38–42.
Guo J C, Wang M G, Geng R, et al. Salinity characteristics analysis of saline alkali soil in Yinbei irrigation district of Ningxia. Chin Agric Sci Bull, 2021, 37(5): 38–42 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[5] 赵志鹏, 方磊. 青铜峡灌区春灌前土壤盐分与盐渍化特征及空间分布. 地质灾害与环境保护, 2023, 34(3): 105–112.
Zhao Z P, Fang L. Characteristics and spatial pattern of soil salinity and soil salinization before spring irrigation in Qingtongxia irrigation district. J Geol Hazards Environ Preserv, 2023, 34(3): 105–112 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[6] 郭顺堂, 徐婧婷. 我国大豆食品产业发展现状及存在的问题. 食品科学技术学报, 2023, 41(3): 1–8.
Guo S T, Xu J T. Development status and existing problems of soybean food industry in China. J Food Sci Technol, 2023, 41(3): 1–8 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[7] 陈鹤源, 白钱岳, 胡尚宏, 等. 大豆耐盐碱机制及育种策略研究进展. 大豆科学, 2025, 44(5): 1–8.
Chen H Y, Bai Q Y, Hu S H, et al. Advances in salinity tolerance mechanisms and breeding strategies in soybean. Soybean Sci, 2025, 44(5): 1–8 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[8] Guan R X, Guo X Y, Qu Y, et al. Salt tolerance in soybeans: focus on screening methods and genetics. Plants, 2024, 13(1): 97.

[9] Zhou X Y, Tian Y M, Qu Z P, et al. Comparing the salt tolerance of different spring soybean varieties at the germination stage. Plants, 2023, 12(15): 2789.

[10] Chen L M, Peng L H, Ou-yang W Q, et al. Screening and identification of salt tolerance soybean varieties and germplasms. Oil Crop Sci, 2024, 9: 204–210.

[11] 张东梅, 赵艳强, 李晔, 等. 48份大豆种质资源全生育期耐盐碱性评价. 大豆科学, 2025, 44(5): 77–88.
Zhang D M, Zhao Y Q, Li Y, et al. Saline-alkali tolerance evaluation of 48 soybean germplasm resources throughout the entire growth period. Soybean Sci, 2025, 44(5): 77–88 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[12] 周文宇, 李帅豪, 杨海昌, 等. 干旱区大豆种质资源耐盐碱性鉴定评价与产量构成分析. 核农学报, 2026, 40: 640–651.
Zhou W Y, Li S H, Yang H C, et al. Identification and evaluation of saline-alkaline tolerance and yield components analysis of soybean germplasm resources in arid regions. J Nucl Agric Sci, 2026, 40: 640–651 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[13] 徐宗昌, 鲁雪莉, 魏云冲, 等. 航天诱变野大豆SP1群体苗期耐盐性鉴定与评价. 草业学报, 2023, 32(11): 168–178.
Xu Z C, Lu X L, Wei Y C, et al. Salt tolerance identification and evaluation of a population of wild soybean SP1 mutants at the seedling stage. Acta Pratac Sin, 2023, 32(11): 168–178 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[14] 王萌, 鲁雪莉, 王菊英, 等. 小黑麦种质萌发期苗期耐盐资源评价与筛选. 草业学报, 2024, 33(5): 58–68.
Wang M, Lu X L, Wang J Y, et al. Evaluation and screening of the salt tolerance of Triticale germplasm at the germination and seedling stages. Acta Pratac Sin, 2024, 33(5): 58–68 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[15] 张新草, 薛项潇, 姜深, 等. 大豆种质发芽期耐盐碱性鉴定及指标筛选. 西北农业学报, 2020, 29(3): 374–381.
Zhang X C, Xue X X, Jiang S, et al. Identification of mixed saline-alkali tolerance and screening of indicators in soybean at germination stage. Acta Agric Boreali-Occidentalis Sin, 2020, 29(3): 374–381 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[16] 苏明, 杨乔乔, 李月琪, 等. 基于生理-产量-品质的宁夏引黄灌区春玉米水肥耦合决策. 中国农业大学学报, 2025, 30(12): 133–148.
Su M, Yang Q Q, Li Y Q, et al. Decision-making of spring maize water-fertilizer coupling based on physiology-yield-quality in Yinhuang irrigation district of Ningxia China. J China Agric Univ, 2025, 30(12): 133–148 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[17] 孟然, 李赵嘉, 冯薇, 等. 大豆不同生育时期耐盐性综合评价及耐盐种质筛选. 作物学报, 2025, 51: 1991–2008.
Meng R, Li Z J, Feng W, et al. Comprehensive evaluation of salt tolerance at different growth stages of soybean and screening of salt-tolerant germplasm. Acta Agron Sin, 2025, 51: 1991–2008 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[18] Munns R, Tester M. Mechanisms of salinity tolerance. Annu Rev Plant Biol, 2008, 59: 651–681.

[19] Li J, Yang Y Q. How do plants maintain pH and ion homeostasis under saline-alkali stress? Front Plant Sci, 2023, 14: 1217193.

[20] Arif Y, Singh P, Siddiqui H, et al. Salinity induced physiological and biochemical changes in plants: an omic approach towards salt stress tolerance. Plant Physiol Biochem, 2020, 156: 64–77.

[21] Fang S M, Hou X, Liang X L. Response mechanisms of plants under saline-alkali stress. Front Plant Sci, 2021, 12: 667458.

[22] Zhang C X, Jiang K, Liu Q, et al. Screening of salt-tolerant soybean germplasm and study of salt-tolerance mechanism. Plant Cell Rep, 2025, 44: 187.

[23] Kumar K, Jaiswal A, Koppolu U M K, et al. Alkaline stress disrupts growth, biochemistry, and ion homeostasis of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) roots. Front Agron, 2024, 6: 1497054.

[24] Hasanuzzaman M, Bhuyan M H M B, Zulfiqar F, et al. Reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense in plants under abiotic stress: revisiting the crucial role of a universal defense regulator. Antioxidants, 2020, 9: 681.

[25] Zulfiqar F, Ashraf M. Proline alleviates abiotic stress induced oxidative stress in plants. J Plant Growth Regul, 2023, 42: 4629–4651.

[26] Ma L, Li J R, Li J F, et al. Plant salt-tolerance mechanisms: classic signaling pathways, emerging frontiers, and future perspectives. Mol Plant, 2026, 19(3): 538–570.

[27] Atta K, Mondal S, Gorai S, et al. Impacts of salinity stress on crop plants: improving salt tolerance through genetic and molecular dissection. Front Plant Sci, 2023, 14: 1241736.

[28] Flowers T J, Munns R, Colmer T D. Sodium chloride toxicity and the cellular basis of salt tolerance in halophytes. Ann Bot, 2015, 115: 419–431.

[29] Zhao C Z, Zhang H, Song C P, et al. Mechanisms of plant responses and adaptation to soil salinity. Innovation, 2020, 1: 100017.

[30] 熊洁, 邹小云, 陈伦林, 等. 油菜苗期耐铝基因型筛选和鉴定指标的研究. 中国农业科学, 2015, 48: 3112–3120.
Xiong J, Zou X Y, Chen L L, et al. Screening of rapeseed genotypes with aluminum tolerance at seedling stage and evaluation of selecting indices. Sci Agric Sin, 2015, 48: 3112–3120 (in Chinese with English abstract).

[31] Wang G Y, Ahmad S, Wang Y, et al. Multivariate analysis compares and evaluates drought and flooding tolerances of maize germplasm. Plant Physiol, 2023, 193: 339–355.

[32] Hwang C L, Yoon K. Multiple Attribute Decision Making. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer, 1981.

[1] Chen Meng-Yao, Chen Qiang, Shi Xiao-Lei, Suo Wen-Ying, Zhang Meng-Chen, Yang Chun-Yan, Yan Long, Zhang Kai, Meng Qing-Min. QTL mapping and KASP marker development for seed oil content in soybean [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(7): 1985-1996.
[2] Zeng Jian, Wang Ru-Meng, Wang Xu, Cui Shi-Yao, He Da-Wei, Li Jiang-He, Zhang Zhen-Hua, Gong Pan. Screening and comprehensive evaluation of low-nitrogen-tolerant germplasm in Brassica juncea at the seedling stage [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(7): 2057-2072.
[3] Liu Feng, Dong Hong-Wei, Zhang Yue, Li Ran, Sun Ruo-Nan, Liu Jia-Cheng, Sun Shu-Jie, Zhang Xu-Dong, Han Qing-Fang. Photosynthetic mechanisms underlying yield stability under reduced nitrogen in maize-soybean intercropping: enhanced conversion efficiency of photosynthates [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(7): 2095-2108.
[4] Ma Xiao-Qian, Qin Na, Dai Shu-Tao, Qin Jia-Fan, Li Xiao-Yan, Wang Shu-Ting, Liu Zhong-Ling, Li Jun-Xia. Phenotypic variation analysis of 175 foxtail millet (Setaria italica) germplasm accessions under two environments [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(6): 1757-1773.
[5] Tang Kuan-Qiang, Li Gong-Yun, Song Mei-Yi, Zhao Xue, Chang Chun-Ling. Genome-wide association analysis and prediction model construction for soybean plant height [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(6): 1743-1756.
[6] Yao Shu, Guo Kai-Yue, Zhai Hui-Hui, Yao Jia-Hui, Deng Wen-Qi, Yan Ling, Huang Chi, Gao Yang, Yu Yan-Ran, Zhao Zhen-Bang, Li Ying-Hui, Wang Xiao-Bo, Li Jia-Jia. Comprehensive evaluation of low-iron tolerance and screening of elite germplasm at the soybean seedling stage [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(5): 1373-1387.
[7] Xu Jian-Xia, Ding Yan-Qing, Cao Ning, Cheng Bin, Gao Xu, Li Wen-Zhen, Wang Ruo-Ruo, Wang Lei, Zhang Li-Yi. Phenotypic diversity analysis and comprehensive evaluation of 397 sorghum germplasm resources in Guizhou, China [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(4): 1073-1087.
[8] Tan Wen-Qing, Hui Rong-Kui, Zhang Fan-Li, Qin Lei, Mao Shu-Xiang, Deng Li-Chao, Guo Yi-Ming, Qu Liang, Yan Ming-Li. Rapid identification of waterlogging tolerance and selection of high waterlogging tolerance germplasm resources of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(4): 1035-1045.
[9] Zhang Qing, Yang Yu, Guo Qian, Yue Pei-Yao, Yin Cong-Cong, Niu Jing-Ping, Zhao Jin-Zhong, Du Wei-Jun, Yue Ai-Qin. Cloning and functional analysis of the soybean GmARA6a gene in response to salt stress [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(2): 480-493.
[10] Wang Ya-Zhi, Yang Biao, Ji Xiang-Lin, Shi Ying, Zhang Li-Li. Identification of drought-resistant resources and preliminary screening of drought resistant genes in diploid potatoes [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2026, 52(1): 72-84.
[11] HU Run-Hui, WANG Jun-Cheng, SI Er-Jing, ZHANG Hong, LI Xing-Mao, MA Xiao-Le, MENG Ya-Xiong, WANG Hua-Jun, LIU Qing, YAO Li-Rong, LI Bao-Chun. Screening of drought and salt tolerant germplasm during wheat seedling stage and comprehensive evaluation of drought and salt tolerance [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(9): 2371-2386.
[12] HE Hong-Li, ZHANG Yu-Han, YANG Jing, CHENG Yun-Qing, ZHAO Yang, LI Xing-Nuo, SI Hong-Liang, ZHANG Xing-Zheng, YANG Xiang-Dong. Creation and physiological analysis of an e1-as gene mutant in soybean [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(8): 2228-2239.
[13] WANG Ke-Jing, LI Xiang-Hua. Endangerment assessment of the perennial species G. tabacina and G. tomentella of the genus Glycine Willd. in China [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(8): 2009-2019.
[14] MENG Ran, LI Zhao-Jia, FENG Wei, CHEN Yue, LIU Lu-Ping, YANG Chun-Yan, LU Xue-Lin, WANG Xiu-Ping. Comprehensive evaluation of salt tolerance at different growth stages of soybean and screening of salt-tolerant germplasm [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(8): 1991-2008.
[15] HU Meng, SHA Dan, ZHANG Sheng-Rui, GU Yong-Zhe, ZHANG Shi-Bi, LI Jing, SUN Jun-Ming, QIU Li-Juan, LI Bin. QTL mapping and candidate gene screening for branch number in soybean [J]. Acta Agronomica Sinica, 2025, 51(7): 1747-1756.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited
  Shared   
  Discussed   
No Suggested Reading articles found!
Add: No. 80 Xueyuan South Rd, Beijing 100081, P. R. China E-mail: zwxb301@caas.cn
Supported by Beijing Magtech Co.Ltd