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Comparison of Axenic and Microbially Contaminated Soybean Plants. W. E. Bolton, Northrop Services, Inc., Houston, Texas (WEB & GAB), and Health Services Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058; G. A. Bozarth(2), and C. H. Walkinshaw(3). (2)(3)Northrop Services, Inc., Houston, Texas (WEB & GAB), and Health Services Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058. Phytopathology 63:1501-1504. Accepted for publication 15 May 1973. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-63-1501.

Axenic and microbially contaminated soybean plants 'Lee 68' were grown within Plexiglas isolators for 10 weeks. Both types of plants grew vigorously in isolators and were similar in appearance. Axenic plants flowered earlier, reached senescence first, weighed more (both fresh and dry weight), and contained 28% more protein than contaminated soybeans. Axenic soybean tissue, analyzed by optical emission spectrography and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, contained 17 elements in greater abundance than contaminated soybean tissue.