Effect of Iron Nutrition on Growth, Quality and Yield of Soybean (Glycine Max. L.) Grown on Problematic Inceptisol

Abstract

Aims: To study the effect of soil and foliar application of iron on growth parameters, quality and yield of soybean (Glycine max.L.). Study Design: The experiment was laid out in randomised block design with three replications. Place and Duration of the Study: Agricultural Research Station, Kasbe Digraj, Dist: Sangli (MS) India. The study was conducted during Kharif 2018-19. Methodology Applied: The present investigation consisted of eight treatments such as absolute control, general recommended dose of fertilizer (GRDF), GRDF + soil application of FeSO4 @ 10 and 20 kg ha-1 with and without two foliar sprays of chelated Fe @ 0.2 per cent at 30 and 50 days after sowing (DAS) , GRDF + soil application of FeSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1, GRDF + FeSO4 @ 10 kg ha-1 + cow dung slurry @ 500 litre ha-1. Results: The basal application of FeSO4 @ 10 or 20 kg ha-1 along with two foliar sprays of chelated Fe @ 0.2 per cent at 30 and 50 days after sowing improved growth parameters of soybean viz; chlorophyll content, average number of days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of branches, number of pods and effective root nodules as compare to only soil application or foliar spray of iron. Significantly higher grain yield, straw yield, 100 grain weight, oil and crude protein yield of soybean were obtained in soil application of FeSO4 @ 20 kg ha-1 along with two foliar sprays of chelated Fe @ 0.2% at 30 and 50 days after sowing. Conclusion: Integrated approach of iron nutrition in soybean both as soil and foliar application could result in better growth and the enhanced yield of soybean.