Effect of soil moisture on growth of Glycine Max (L.) merrill varieties

The present paper evaluates the growth performance of Glycine max (L.) Merrill vars. BSS-2 and RAUS-5 under varying soil moisture levels. Plants under alternative day watering having soil moisture around field capacity were the best performers. Waterlogged as well as drier soils caused retardation of growth in both the varieties in which water-logging appeared more deleterious. The maximum biomass was observed under a soil moisture around the field capacity. RAUS-5 appeared best performer while BSS-2 being the laggard. BSS-2 showed maximum sensitivity in waterlogged condition. The RGR and NAR were maximum in alternate day watered plants. Water-logging resulted into delayed initiation of flowering and that BSS-2 displayed the longest span in the stressed condition. Number of flowers and fruits were maximum in alternate day watered plants. RAUS-5 was better performer in the stressed conditions than BSS-2.