The effects of phosphorus fertilizer application and plant population on the growth, yield and seed quality of soyabean (Glycine max. L)

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1997-06-13
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Abstract
Pot and field experiments were conducted at the Arable Crop Farm at the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (16° 43’N 1° 36’W) in the 1994 and 1995 growing seasons to study the effects of phosphorus fertilizer application and plant population on the growth, yield and seed quality of two soyabean cultivars, Anidaso and Bengbie, both early maturing types. The cultivars differed in growth characteristics. Bengbie flowered, formed pods and matured earlier than Anidaso. However, Anidaso produced higher leaf area indices, higher crop growth rates and higher dry matter yield than Bengbie. Bengbie produced greater number of pods per plant and per unit area than Anidaso while Anidaso produced larger seeds than Bengbie. The differences in seed yield between the cultivars were narrowed by the compensatory ability of other yield components mainly the number of pods per unit area and mean seed size. Anidaso produced better seed quality than Bengbie and again produced higher protein content but not oil content than Bengbie. Phosphorus fertilizer application generally increased dry matter yield, leaf area indices and crop growth rate. Seed yield increased, mainly due to greater number of pods per plant and per unit area with rate of phosphorus application. Seed protein content increased with phosphorus application with a concomitant decrease in oil content in the field trials. However, the pot trials showed reverse situation. Planting at higher density (44.4 plants/m2) produced higher dry matter and other growth components than at lower density (33.3 plants/m2). Seed yield was higher for both cultivars at higher density. Plant population did not influence seed protein and oil contents.
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A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Agronomy, 1997
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