The effects of shading on kaempferol content and leaf characteristics of five soybean lines

Previous work has shown that the presence of kaempferol triglucoside (K9) in soybean ( Glycine max L. Merr.) leaves is associated with reduced numbers of stomata, especially on the upper surface. In the present test, shade was imposed on soybean plants as a means of altering the level of K9, and thus testing the relationship between quantities of K9 and stomatal density. Five lines of soybean that differ in their complement of flavonol glycosides were grown in the field unshaded and also with a 64 and 80% reduction in daylight intensity. Samples of the second, sixth and tenth trifoliate leaves were taken at 34, 53 and 77 days after planting. Shade reduced the quantities of flavonoids on a per leaf and a per unit area basis. Shade had no effect on stomatal density in lines containing K9, but reduced stomatal density in lines lacking K9. We envisage two opposing effects of shade on stomatal density: a direct effect in which shade reduces numbers, and an indirect effect in which a decrease in K9 content allows an increase in stomatal density. The net effect of shade on lines containing K9 appears to be the maintenance of a constant stomatal density. The quantity of K9 was highly correlated with stomatal density within all treatment combinations, and with all treatments combined.