{"title":"Calcium regulation of nitrogen fixation and metabolism in soybean (Glycine max L.)","authors":"Sutong Zhao, Shuoshuo Shi, Runze Xie, Chao Yan, Xiaochen Lyu","doi":"10.1186/s40538-026-00969-1","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Calcium (Ca) is pivotal for symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) and the overall growth and development of legumes. However, the mechanisms by which varying Ca supply levels coordinate the homeostasis between nodular N fixation and nitrogen (N) metabolism remain poorly understood. This study conducted a two-year sand culture experiment to investigate the effects of low (Ca<sub>0.1</sub>), optimal (Ca<sub>1</sub>), and high (Ca<sub>10</sub>) calcium regimes on soybean (<i>Glycine max</i> L.).</p><h3>Results</h3><p>Optimal Ca supply (1 mmol·L<sup>−1</sup>, Ca<sub>1</sub>) significantly promoted plant growth and increased grain yield by 54.5–91.0% in 2024 and 55.3–74.7% in 2025 compared to other regimes. It maximized nitrogenase activity (SNA and ARA)—with ARA being 1.63–2.51 fold higher than in stressed plants in 2025—and significantly upregulated N-metabolism enzymes (GS, GOGAT, GLS, and L-ASNase) in both leaves and nodules. Furthermore, amino acid profiling substantiated that optimal Ca improved N utilization efficiency by preventing the atypical buildup of free amino acids (FAAs) observed under Ca-stress conditions.</p><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>In summary, an optimal Ca supply maximizes soybean productivity by synergistically enhancing biological nitrogen fixation capacity and N-use efficiency. This coordination maintains carbon–nitrogen (C/N) homeostasis and improves key yield components, providing a theoretical framework for refined Ca fertilization management in soybean production.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":512,"journal":{"name":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","volume":"13 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8000,"publicationDate":"2026-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s40538-026-00969-1.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture","FirstCategoryId":"97","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40538-026-00969-1","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/7/6 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"AGRICULTURE, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
Background
Calcium (Ca) is pivotal for symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) and the overall growth and development of legumes. However, the mechanisms by which varying Ca supply levels coordinate the homeostasis between nodular N fixation and nitrogen (N) metabolism remain poorly understood. This study conducted a two-year sand culture experiment to investigate the effects of low (Ca0.1), optimal (Ca1), and high (Ca10) calcium regimes on soybean (Glycine max L.).
Results
Optimal Ca supply (1 mmol·L−1, Ca1) significantly promoted plant growth and increased grain yield by 54.5–91.0% in 2024 and 55.3–74.7% in 2025 compared to other regimes. It maximized nitrogenase activity (SNA and ARA)—with ARA being 1.63–2.51 fold higher than in stressed plants in 2025—and significantly upregulated N-metabolism enzymes (GS, GOGAT, GLS, and L-ASNase) in both leaves and nodules. Furthermore, amino acid profiling substantiated that optimal Ca improved N utilization efficiency by preventing the atypical buildup of free amino acids (FAAs) observed under Ca-stress conditions.
Conclusion
In summary, an optimal Ca supply maximizes soybean productivity by synergistically enhancing biological nitrogen fixation capacity and N-use efficiency. This coordination maintains carbon–nitrogen (C/N) homeostasis and improves key yield components, providing a theoretical framework for refined Ca fertilization management in soybean production.
期刊介绍：
Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture is an international, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed forum for the advancement and application to all fields of agriculture of modern chemical, biochemical and molecular technologies. The scope of this journal includes chemical and biochemical processes aimed to increase sustainable agricultural and food production, the evaluation of quality and origin of raw primary products and their transformation into foods and chemicals, as well as environmental monitoring and remediation. Of special interest are the effects of chemical and biochemical technologies, also at the nano and supramolecular scale, on the relationships between soil, plants, microorganisms and their environment, with the help of modern bioinformatics. Another special focus is the use of modern bioorganic and biological chemistry to develop new technologies for plant nutrition and bio-stimulation, advancement of biorefineries from biomasses, safe and traceable food products, carbon storage in soil and plants and restoration of contaminated soils to agriculture.
This journal presents the first opportunity to bring together researchers from a wide number of disciplines within the agricultural chemical and biological sciences, from both industry and academia. The principle aim of Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture is to allow the exchange of the most advanced chemical and biochemical knowledge to develop technologies which address one of the most pressing challenges of our times - sustaining a growing world population.
Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture publishes original research articles, short letters and invited reviews. Articles from scientists in industry, academia as well as private research institutes, non-governmental and environmental organizations are encouraged.
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