Thank you Dr. Harisingh for a good question. Soybean plants exhibit a range of physiological and biochemical responses to various environmental stresses, including salinity. When exposed to high salinity, soybeans often experience ion toxicity, osmotic stress, and nutrient imbalances, which can negatively affect their growth and yield. In response, these plants activate several adaptive mechanisms. They may enhance the synthesis of osmoprotectants, such as proline and glycine betaine, which help to maintain cellular osmotic balance. Additionally, soybean plants can upregulate the expression of stress-responsive genes, leading to increased production of stress-related proteins and antioxidants that mitigate oxidative damage. Root structure may also adapt, promoting deeper and more extensive root systems to access water and nutrients. Furthermore, soybeans can selectively exclude sodium ions from their uptake or compartmentalize them in vacuoles, thereby reducing their harmful effects.

Soya bean under high salinity may show or experience a higher degree of oxidative stress, leading to damage to cellular components and reduced productivity.

Nutrient imbalance is also an important feature especially in potassium, calcium, and magnesium absorption, this will definitely bring about poor water relations, ion toxicity, poor germination and stunted vegetative growth and consequently low yield.