Influence of sowing dates and plant densities on yield attributes and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill)

Abstract

A field experiment was conducted during kharif season, 2014 to study the influence of different sowing dates and plant densities on yield attributes and yield of soybean. It was comprised of nine treatments with three sowing dates (June 28, July 14 and July 29) as main plot treatments and three row spacings (30 cm x 10 cm, 45 cm x 10 cm and 60 cm x10 cm) as sub plot treatments and replicated thrice. Numbers of pods plant-1 (44.7), number of seeds per pod-1(2.2), seed yield (1487 kg ha-1), haulm yield (2496kg ha-1), harvest index (39.1%) and test weight (9.9 g) increased with early sowing on June 28 than delayed sowing on July 14 and July 29. July 14 sown crop was on par to June 28 sown crop. Yield attributes and yield of soybean were inconsistent with different row spacings. The highest number of pods plant-1 (48.1), number of seeds per pod-1 (2.1) and test weight (9.9 g) were recorded at a spacing of 60 X 10 cm, highest seed yield (1396 kg ha-1), haulm yield (2386kg ha-1) and harvest index (39.2%), were recorded at spacing of 30 cm x 10 cm.