Phenological responses of soybean (Glycine max L.) to different sowing dates during the off-season in Northern Telangana zone

Aims: To identify the optimum sowing time and suitable varieties of soybean for profitable cultivation during off season in Northern Telangana Agroclimatic zone of Telangana state in India. Study Design: Strip plot design with three replications. Place and Duration of Study: The Regional Sugarcane and Rice Research Station, Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU), Rudrur, Nizamabad District, Telangana state, India, between October 2022 and June 2023. Methodology: The field experiment was conducted in medium clay loam soil under irrigated condition with three varieties and 9 dates of sowing. The seeds were sown by dibbling at 5 cm apart within the row and rows were space at 45 cm apart. Standard recommended package of practice of kharif season suggested by PJTSAU was followed. The number of days taken to emergence of 50% seedlings, bud appearance, 1st flower appearance, 1st pod appearance, 1st pod dry and 75% of pods dry stages was counted based on morpho physiological appearance of 50% plants in net plot area and expressed in days and analyzed statistically using OP Stat. Results: The cv. KDS 726 taken more number of days to bud appearance, 1st flower appearance, 1st pod appearance, 1st pod dry and 75% pods dry stages followed by the cv. ASB 22 and least was with the cv. JS 335. Conclusion: Sowing date had a minor impact on emergence, it significantly affected later stages like bud appearance, flower, and pod formation and the cv. KDS 726 taken more number of days to bud appearance, 1st flower appearance, 1st pod appearance, 1st pod dry and 75% pods dry stages followed by the cv. ASB 22 and least was with the cv. JS 335.