Yield and Germinability of Seed from Irrigated and Nonirrigated Early- and Late-Planted MG IV and V Soybean
1996
Heatherly, Larry G.
Drought stress in the midsouthern USA reduces yield of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] planted in May and June and sometimes affects germination of harvested seed. Irrigation often increases yield, and may also increase seed germinability. Field experiments were conducted on Sharkey clay (Vertic Haplaquept, very-fine, montmorillonitic, termic) in 1992, 1993, and 1994 at Stoneville, MS. The objective was to determine the effects of earlier-than-normal (April) and normal (May) planting dates on yield and germinability of harvested seed of Maturity Group (MG) IV and V soybean cultivars grown in nonirrigated (NI) and furrow-irrigated (I) environs. In 1992, germination of seed of all cultivars harvested from the NI (14–73%) and I (36–77%) 15 April plantings was lower than that of seed harvested from the 27 May plantings. In 1993 and 1994, germination of all harvested seed averaged more than 90%. Without irrigation, seed yield from the April plantings exceeded that from the May plantings every year. The difference was greatest in 1992 (3170 vs. 2190 kg ha⁻¹) and least in 1993 (1432 vs 1295 kg ha⁻¹). In 1992, the 4195 kg ha⁻¹ average yield with irrigation from the 15 April planting exceeded the 2979 kg ha⁻¹ average yield from the 27 May planting. In 1994, yield of all irrigated cultivars in the 21 April planting equalled or exceeded the yield of the same cultivars planted on 13 May. Yields of MG V cultivars were equal to or greater than those of MG IV cultivars in both I and NI plantings in all years. These results demonstrate that April vs. normal May plantings of both MG IV and V cultivars can increase yields when grown with and without irrigation in the midsouthern USA.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by National Agricultural Library