Effect of planting density and improved seeding machinery on yield and economics of soybean (Glycine max)

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) seasons of 1997–98 to 2000–2001 in farmers’ fields at Bhopal on clayey loam medium deep Vertisols, to study the effect of planting densities and improved seeding machines on growth, yield and economics in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The use of improved seeding machines such as seed-cum-fertilizer drill and strip-till seed-cum-fertilizer drill reduced the cost of operation by Rs 935 and Rs 1, 578/ha and increased the net income by Rs 2, 589 and Rs 3, 703/ha, respectively, over the local seed drills used by the farmers. The planting density of 888, 000 plants/achieved by the farmers through sowing at 22.5 cm by use of local seed drill mixing seed and fertilizer together increased the plant height and total dry matter disproportionally, thereby increasing the incidence of pests (32%) and decreasing the branching, filled pods, test weight of seeds and seed yield. Planting density of 440, 000/ha increased the seed yield by 61.6% and the net returns by Rs 6, 669/ha over farmers’ practice. The planting densities at 666, 000/ha and 533, 000/ha produced the intermediate effects.