Effect of waterlogging conditions on growth, physiology and yield characteristics of soybean genotypes (Glycine max)

Waterlogging is one of the environmental stresses that affect the growth, physiology and yield attributes injured due to the anaerobic environment. The objective of above investigation was to study the variation in growth, physiological and yield characteristics in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) genotypes/varieties. The genotypes were grown under excess moisture condition and recommended condition (Control). The experiment wascarried out at theresearch farm of Plant Breeding and Genetics, RAK College of Agriculture, Sehore (M.P.) during cropping season of 2014. A total of 25 genotypes/varieties of soybean were grown in complete randomized block design with threereplications having 5 rows, 40cm apart with 3meter row length of every genotype. Water logging was created at 20DAS, 40DAS and 60 DAS in event of no rains after plantingby applying water level about 5 cm above the soil surface. The mean data of the all characters viz. plant height, number of branches plant^-1, number of nodules plant^{- 1}, dry weight of nodules plant^-1, ascent of sap (%), transpiration rate (mmol H₂O mET ² s^-1), harvest index (%) and yield (q ha^-1) were computed for statistical analysis as per the standard procedure.The results revealed that soybean could grow and produce grains even under water logging condition.The significant differences were observed among the genotypes for major growth parameters, physiology and yield attributes except number of branches, number of nodules and ascent of sap in the year. Further, the results revealed that high magnitude of characters like plant height, dry weight of nodules, transpiration rate, harvest index and yield per hectare were found in genotypes/varieties RVS2007-7, JS2069, RVS2007-1, RVS2001 -4 and JS 2059 as compared to control. Hence, these genotypes/varieties were found suitable under waterlogged condition.