Effect of Foliar Application of Methanol on the Growth and Yield of Soybean

Methanol is a carbon source and many scientists have proposed that foliar methanol application to C3 plants can enhance growth and yield. In this study we investigated effect of foliar application of methanol on the growth and yield of soybean (Glycine max L.). Four treatments with different amounts of methanol solutions were designed, including A (methanol 0% v/v), B (methanol 10% v/v), C (methanol 25% v/v), and D (methanol 50% v/v). The growth indices, yield and yield components (including height, number of nodes in stem, internode length, number of branches, number of pods, number of hollow pods, 1000 seed weight and seed yield) were measured. The results showed that methanol solution of 10% (v/v) considerably increased some parameters that were measured (including height, number of nodes in stem, internode length, number of branches, number of pods, 1000 seed weight and seed yield) compared to control plants (methanol 0% v/v). Our results also showed that methanol solution of 25% (v/v) can only enhance number of branches significantly. Stem diameter and number of hollow pods between control and treated plants did not differed considerably. Based on our results it can be concluded that foliar application of methanol solution by 10% v/v can considerably enhance growth and yield of soybean plants.