Effects of sugarcane molasses application on soybeans growth and yield after a period of drought stress

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of application of sugarcane molasses foliar spray earlier after a period of drought stress on soybean growth and yield. The experiment was conducted in the municipality of Itinga, Maranhão, Brazil, using the soybean Brasmax Olimpo IPRO genotype. The row spacing was 0.50 m, and the number of seeds per meter was calculated based on the seed's germination capacity to achieve 14 plants per meter of row. The experimental design was a randomized block design with two treatments: molasses application either 2 or 7 days after precipitation, with four plots. The applications took place after a period of 28 days without rain. Leaf area, plant dry mass, and yield measurements were taken during the R5 reproductive stage—beginning of seed filling. Dry mass was measured after drying in a forced-air circulation oven at 70°C for 72 hours. The plot treated with sugarcane molasses resulted in greater productivity due to increased photoassimilates allocation to the grains.