Differential Genotypic Response to Drought Stress and Subsoil Aluminum in Soybean

(…) In the combined presence of drought and Al stress, the Plant Introduction (PI) maintained a substantially higher relative water content, water potential, transpiration, and leaf weight than Forrest or N77-114. Under drought stress alone, the water status of the PI was inferior to that of Forrest and N77-114. These data suggest that Al tolerance can impart drought tolerance when subsoil Al is present. In regions where subsoil Al toxicity and drought are common, breeders should consider Al screening of germplasm to efficiently characterize and develop drought tolerant cultivars