EVALUATION OF SOME MEDIUM MATURING SOYBEAN (Glycine max (L.) Merill) VARIETIES FOR GROWTH AND YIELD RESPONSE IN KEFFI, NASARAWA STATE

Abstract

Abstract
Soybean, scientifically known as Glycine max (L.) Merrill is commonly known as a "miracle crop" because of its crucial
role in maintaining nutritious diets for both humans and animals (Rajni et al., 2020). The research took place at the
Department of Biological Sciences Unit farm, Botanical Garden at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, during the rainy
season of 2015. An RCBD (randomized complete block design) was used to set up the experiment with three replications.
The growth and yield response of five varieties of medium-maturing Soybeans were evaluated, observing their genotypic
and phenotypic characteristics. Data regarding different growth and yield factors was gathered, encompassing data such
as the time taken for emergence (no), duration until 50% flowering (no), the height of the plants (cm), leaf count (no),
stem thickness (cm), grain yield per hectare (Kg/Ha), the weight of 100 seeds (Kg), and the volume of oil content (ml).
ANOVA and Pearson's correlation were utilized for statistical analysis. The results revealed significant variations (P<0.05)
among different varieties for all the traits examined. A strong and significant positive correlation was found between grain
yield (kg/ha) and total seed weight per plot (kg) (0.5102**), the number of pods per plot (no) (0.3362**), and oil content
(0.1874**). Based on these findings, it is recommended that farmers in the Keffi area consider cultivating the TGX 1989
– 45F variety, which demonstrated the highest yield averaging 3733 Kg/Ha in the study