COMPARATIVE YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF LAND RACES AND IMPROVED SOYBEANS PLANTED ON DIFFERENT DATES

Abstract

In order to explore the production potential of land races a comparative study of three land races (Kulat brown, Kulat white and Mothi) and two improved varieties (NARC-II and Swat-84) of soybean at four planting dates (April 2, May 2, June 2 and July 2) in randomized complete block design, replicated four times was conducted at Agricultural University, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtun Khwa, Pakistan during 2004 and 2005. Planting dates significantly affected pods plant-1 , seeds pod-1 , 100 seed weight and seed yield. Maximum pods plant-1 (74.2), seeds pod-1 (2.1) and seed yield(1459 kg ha-1 ) was recorded for April planted crop. However, May planting produced heaviest seeds (11.5 g 100 seeds-1 ). Yield and yield components were significantly affected by varieties. Swat-84 gave maximum seeds pod-1 (2.2) and seed weight (15.7 g 100 seeds-1 ), while Kulat white produced maximum pods plant-1 (71.5). Improved variety NARC-II (1366 kg ha-1 ) and land races Mothi (1322 kg ha-1 ) and Kulat white (1281 kg ha-1 ) produced statistically same yield. Heavier seeds were obtained in 2004 as compared to year 2005. For obtaining similar seed yield, land race Mothi should be planted in May and June. Equal seed yield and greater pods plant-1 of land races, suggested further exploration of land races.