Productivity and profitability of soybean (Glycine max) as influenced by different fertility levels and seed rates under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted during the rainy (kharif) season of 2016 at Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, to evaluate the optimum dose of fertilizers and seed rates of ‘HIMSO 1685’ of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design, comprising 2 genotypes (‘HIMSO 1685’ and ‘Harasoya’) and 2 seed rates (75 and 100 kg/ha) in main-plots and 4 fertility levels [0, 75, 100 and 125% of recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)] in sub-plots. The soil of experimental site was silty clay loam, acidic, low in available nitrogen, and medium in available phosphorus and potassium. The highest values of primary branches/plant, number of pods/plant and 1, 000-seed weight were recorded in ‘HIMSO 1685’ and at 100% RDF. Significantly higher yields, productivity, gross and net returns, benefit: cost and profitability were recorded in ‘HIMSO 1685’ sown with 75 kg/ha seed rate and at 100% RDF. The treatment, 100% of recommended dose of fertilizer and 75 kg seed/ha were found to be the best agronomic practices for obtaining higher productivity and profitability of ‘HIMSO 1685’ soybean under mid-hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh.