IMPACT OF WEATHER CONDITIONS ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE SEEDS OF THREE SOYBEAN CULTIVARS

The paper presents the results of a three-year field experiment aimed at an assessment of the effect of the weather conditions on the yield and the contents of macroelements (P, Mg, Ca, Na and K) and microelements (Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn) in seeds of three soybean cultivars (2 large seed Aldana and Gaj and 1 small seed Nawiko). A significant effect of meteorological conditions on the yield and chemical composition of the analyzed soybean seeds was demonstrated. In the year 2002 when the course of thermal and moisture conditions was the most advantageous, the largest seed yields were obtained (3.1 Mg . ha(-1)) with the highest mineral content. Among the analyzed varieties in the subsequent years the small seed one accumulated in its seeds greater amounts of Mg, Ca, K, Mn and Zn in comparison with the large seed cultivars.