Soybean Meal Composition
Researchers at Iowa State University conducted a study to determine the influence of low phytate on agronomic and seed traits of soybeans. Three populations were developed by crossing three cultivars with normal-phytate levels to a low-phytate line. Ten low-phytate and ten normal-phytate lines were grown in replicated tests at three Iowa environments. Results indicated that total phosphorus was similar between lines, whereas mean phytate phosphorus, inorganic phosphorus and other phosphorus were significantly different between the low- and normal-phytate lines. Agronomic and seed traits were not significantly affected; with the exception the mean seeding emergence of the low-phytate was 45% compared to 68% for the normal-phytate lines. The researchers concluded that the reduced seedling emergence might be a major factor in developing commercial low-phytate cultivars.

Oltmans, S.E. and co-workers. 2005. Agronomic and seed traits of soybeans lines with low-phytate phosphorus. Crop Sci. 45(2): 593-598.