The effect of soil acidity on some growth-related traits of soybean genotypes

Abstract

Soybean is an important oil seed crop for both human and livestock nutrition. However, Soybean production and productivity are affected by biotic and abiotic stresses. Among those factors, Soil acidity is one of the limiting factors for production of soybean especially, in the study area Pawe, north western Ethiopia. Therefore, this experiment was done to determine the effect of soil acidity on growth- and growth-related traits of soybean genotypes. A pot experiment consisting thirteen soybean genotypes and four improved varieties was done using split plot design with three replications. Limed (pH 5.8) and acidic soil (pH 4.5) considered as main plot factor and varieties as sub plot factor at Pawe Agricultural Research Center lathouse in 2017. Analysis of variance revealed that there were highly significant differences between soil, genotypes and genotypes × soil interaction for, root dry weight, shoot fresh and dry weight plant-1. The extents of soil acidity effects on growth related traits had significantly varies from genotype to genotypes. In general, Soil acidity was reduced root length, nodule dry weight, root fresh and dry weight, shoot dry weight and total dry biomass yield plant-1 by 10, 20, 27.9, 25.22, 20.9, and 22.17% respectively. Generally, this experiment was done under pot experiment. Therefore, to verify the findings from a pot, these genotypes better to be tested under a field condition in multiple environment trial at acidic prone areas of Ethiopia.