PJB-2019-772
Evaluating soybean cultivars for yield and quality traits in rainfed conditions of Pakistan under varying sowing dates
Mudassar Ashraf
Abstract
Soybean is a prime source of protein and edible oil hence it is grown in many countries due to its economic importance. The current study was conducted to identify the response of soybean cultivars (cv.) and impact of sowing dates on its productivity in rainfed areas of Shakargarh, Narowal, Punjab, Pakistan. Four local cultivars (Ajmeri, Faisal Soybean, NARC-II and Rawal-I) were sown at two different sowing dates (July 16 and August 2, 2018). Yield and yield-related traits of all cultivars were better in earlier sowing as compared to later sowing. Sowing date significantly influenced the agronomic parameters, like plant height (cm), branches per plant, fertile pods per plant (FPPP), seed weight per plant (SWPP) and seed yield (kg ha-1) in all cultivars. Early planting produced more (61.79) fertile pods. Among cultivars, Ajmeri gave maximum fertile pods per plant (61.18), while the maximum average seed yield (1820 and 1793.3 kg ha-1) was recorded in cv. Faisal Soybean and cv. Ajmeri, respectively. The number of days to maturity (DTM) and harvest index (HI) percentage was non-significantly affected by sowing dates. Minimum days to mature (95.17) were taken by cv. NARC-II followed by cv. Faisal Soybean (99.83 days), cv. Rawal-I (102.8 days) and cv. Ajmeri (103 days). Cv. Ajmeri showed 36.68% HI that was significantly higher from cv. Rawal-I (32.09%), cv. Faisal Soybean (28.20%) and cv. NARC-II (27.59%). The occurrence of Yellow mosaic disease (YMD) and pest attack (chewing insects) was significantly higher in all cultivars planted earlier than later. Based on yield and yield-linked traits, cv. Faisal Soybean and cv. Ajmeri may be recommended for general cultivation in mid-July under rainfed conditions of Shakargarh, Punjab, Pakistan.
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