Rainfall is among the climatic factors that most affect production, as in the Brazilian Cerrado. Non-destructive and automated phenotyping methods are fast and efficient for genotype selection. The objective of this work was to evaluate, under field conditions, the morphophysiological changes, yield, and grain quality of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) under water stress in the Brazilian Cerrado. The plots comprised six soybean cultivars and the subplots of four water regimes, corresponding to 31, 44, 64 and 100% of crop evapotranspiration replacement. The experiments were conducted from May to September 2018 and 2019. An irrigation system with a bar of sprinklers with different flow rates was used. Gas exchange, vegetation indices (measured using a hyperspectral sensor embedded in a drone), yield and grain quality were evaluated. Water stress had different effects on gas exchange, vegetation indices, grain yield and chemical composition among the cultivars. Embrapa cultivar BRS 7280 Roundup ready (RR) and Nidera cultivar NA 5909 RG (glyphosate resistant) are yield stable and have a greater tolerance to drought. BRS 7280RR showed a higher tolerance to drought and higher water use efficiency (WUE) than all other tested cultivars. Vegetation indices, such as the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index), correlated with the morphophysiological traits, such as plant height, were the most responsive variables to water stress. The NDVI can be used to predict soybean yield as a tool in a selection program under drought.

Soybean is one of the most common grain crops worldwide, representing an important protein and oil source. Although genetic variability in the chemical composition of grains is seen in soybean, the mean levels of proteins have remained stagnant or, in some cases, have decreased over time, arousing concern in the agricultural industry. Furthermore, environmental conditions influence the chemical composition of grains. Thus, the present study evaluated the effect of water deficit (WD) induced at the vegetative period (vegetative stress (VS)) and reproductive period (reproductive stress (RS)) on the protein and oil contents of grains in different soybean genotypes. Yield and its components were evaluated to evaluate the interrelation of these traits. The experiment was completed over three crop seasons under field conditions in Londrina, Paraná (PR), Brazil. WD was induced using rainout shelters and then stress treatments with irrigated and non-irrigated conditions were compared. WD negatively affected yield and its components. All evaluated genotypes showed similar responses for oil and protein contents under different water conditions. Higher protein content and lower oil content were observed in grains under RS. Such a relationship was not equally established under VS. Additionally, negative relationships between protein and oil content and between protein content and yield were confirmed.

Water deficit is an important climatic problem that can impair agriculture yield and economy. Genetically modified soybean plants containing the AtNCED3 gene were obtained aiming drought-tolerance improvement. The NCED3 gene encodes a 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED, EC 1.13.11.51), an important enzyme in abscisic acid biosynthesis. ABA activates the expression of drought-responsive genes, in water-deficit conditions, targeting defense mechanisms and enabling plants to survive under low water availability. Results from greenhouse experiments showed that the transgene AtNCED3 and the endogenous genes GmAREB1, GmPP2C, GmSnRK2 and GmAAO3 presented higher expression under water deficit (WD) in the event 2Ha11 than in WT-plants. No significant correlation was observed between the plant materials and WD conditions for growth parameters; however, gas exchange measurements decreased in the GM event, which also showed 80% higher intrinsic water use when compared to WT plants. In crop season 2015/16, event 2Ha11 showed higher total number of pods, higher number of pods with seeds and yield than WT plants. ABA concentration was also higher in GM plants under WD. These results obtained in field screenings suggest that AtNCED3 soybean plants might outperform under drought, reducing economic and yield losses, thus being a good candidate line to be incorporated in the soybean-breeding program to develop drought-tolerant cultivars.