Role of Sulphur and Boron on the Growth, Yield and Protein Content of Soybean (Glycine max L.)

A field experiment was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Marathwada Agricultural University, Parbhani, during 2009–2010 to study the role of Sulphur and Boron on the growth, yield and protein content of soybean (Glycine max var. MAUS 81). The experiment included three level of sulphur viz. 20, 30 and 40 Kg/ha and three level of boron viz. 10, 15 and 20 and the combinations of these two mineral elements viz. sulphur @ 30 Kg/ha + boron @ 15 Kg/ha and sulphur @ 40 Kg/ha + boron @ 20 Kg/ha with one control treatment. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Block design with three replications. Application of sulphur @ 40 kg/ha produced the highest number of branches, stem dry weight, leaf area, leaf area index, protein content and seed yield/ha. Boron also had significant effect on growth, yield components and protein content of soybean. Application of boron @ 20 kg/ha produced the highest number of branches, stem dry weight, protein content and seed yield/ha. Sulphur in combination with Boron showed significant effect on growth, yield components and protein content of soybean. Combined application of Sulphur @ 40 kg/ha and Boron @ 20 kg/ha resulted the highest seed yield number of branches, stem dry weight, leaf area, leaf area index, protein content and seed yield/ha. On the other hand, in all the cases the lower response was found from the control treatment. Different levels of sulphur and boron did notshow any definite trend of Harvest index.