Growth, yield, and water use of soybean as influenced by soil moisture level and inter-row spacing /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1991.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] performance in early-planted production environments in the southern USA has seldom been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine if soil moisture level (SML) and inter-row spacing treatments affect soybean yield, growth, water-use efficiency, and seed quality in an early-planted production system in the southern USA. Soybeans were planted in a two-year field study near College Station, TX in a Ships clay that is intergraded with Weswood silt loam. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with treatments in a split-split plot arrangement. Main plot was SML (ful1-season irrigation and no irrigation), subplot was inter-row spacing (0.36 and 1.02 m), and sub-subplot was cultivar [Williams 82, Maturity Group (MG) III; Essex, MG V; Asgrow 7986, MG VII]. Soybeans were planted in mid-April and thinned to 275 000 plants ha^-1. Yields were more stable in early-maturing Williams 82 and Essex than in late-maturing Asgrow 7986. Full-season irrigated treatments increased yields by 40% in 1990, but no differences due to SML occurred in 1989. Narrow rows (0.36 m) had 11% greater seed yield than wide rows (1.02 m), over years, SML, and cultivars. Williams 82 and Essex had lower seasonal ET and higher water-use efficiencies than Asgrow 7986, caused by a shorter growing season rather than by reduced daily ET. Reproductive and total dry matter production was greater in narrow rows only in 1990. Leaf area index was largely affected by inter-row spacing in 1989 and by SML in 1990. Seed-oil concentration varied more with year and cultivar than did protein concentration, with Williams 82 having the highest oil concentration in both years. Seed-borne pathogen occurrence was significantly lower in Williams 82 and Essex than in Asgrow 7986; however, field weathering adversely affected seed quality more in Williams 82 and Essex than in Asgrow 7986. Early-maturing cultivars, Williams 82 and Essex, had more favorable and stable growth, yield, water-use efficiency, and seed quality characteristics than later-maturing Asgrow 7986. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Agronomy." |
| Physical Description: | xii, 99 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references. |