University of Illinois: Soybeans With Fewer Leaves Yield More
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered soybeans produce more leaves than needed, which is detrimental to yield. The group says this problem will only get worse with rising atmospheric carbon dioxide. To test this theory, researchers removed about one third of emerging leaves on soybeans to discover an 8% seed yield increase. The group attributes this increase to better photosynthesis, decreased respiration and diversion of resources that would have been invested in leaves rather than seeds. "Reduction in the leaves...