Agronomic performance and seed quality of advanced breeding lines of soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) as influenced by organic fertilizer application

Summary

Sixteen soybean entries (three released varieties: TGx 1448-2E (check), TGx 1440-1E and TGx 1019-2EB, 13 advanced breeding lines: TGx 2007 – 1F, TGx 2010 – 1F, TGx 2008 – 1F, TGx 2004 – 4F, TGx 2010 – 7F, TGx 2006 – 2F, TGx 2003 – 1F, TGx 1987 – 10F, TGx 2010 – 2F, TGx 2007 – 4F, TGx 2006 – 3F, TGx 2008 – 3F, and TGx 1835 – 10E) were cultivated during the late cropping season (June – Nov.) of 2014 to assess their agronomic performance and seed quality as affected by organic fertilizer application. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design using a split plot arrangement and replicated three times. Organic fertilizer was the main plot and soybean entries sub plot. Data were collected on grain yield, yield attributes and quality (oil and protein contents) of the entries. Organic fertilizer application did not affect any of the agronomic traits evaluated, except number of seeds per plant. However, variety effect was significant (p<0.05) for all the traits, height to first pod and weight of seeds per plant. Fertilizer × Variety effect was not significant on nay trait. All the sixteen entries recorded grain yields (2092.2 – 4076.5 kg.ha-1) which compared favorably well with world average (2250 kg.ha-1). Thus, confirming the huge potential of soybean in the transition zone.