Most agricultural studies focus on improving crop yield or preventing the adverse effects of environmental conditions. Other studies, however, focus on increasing the nutritional value of crops. Phillipe Seguin and his fellow researchers from various universities and governmental agricultural agencies in Canada focused on correlating these two types of studies.

Soybeans are known to be a good source for tocopherols, organic compounds that contain a number of methylated phenols. There are four forms of tocopherols (α, β, γ, and δ). The Alpha form is a precursor of vitamin E, an antioxidant. The research conducted by Seguin explored twenty genetic lines of soybeans; for each line, the seed tocopherol concentration was measured under different environmental conditions.

Some of the lines grew well in harsh environmental conditions and produced high yields, but was low in tocopherols. On the other hand, some lines were able to retain the concentration of antioxidants despite low crop yield.

This study is the first of its kind to compare crop yield and nutritional content. Further research is necessary to maximize both yield and nutritional value.

Discussion question: As an industrial farmer, how would you decide between crop yield and nutritional content of the crop you’re growing?

News Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090929141528.htm
Paper Abstract: http://agron.scijournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/101/5/1153