Responses of Seed Weight and Planting Location on the Growth and Yield of Soybean

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) is highly valuable as food crop and an industrial crop which has necessitated higher demand than supply. However, its production is constrained by abiotic and biotic factors. The planting seed is an important biotic factor affecting soybean productivity as it directly affects the vigor. Thus, this study assessed the productivity of soybean plants planted with different seed weights. Soybean seeds were sown in two (2) locations of Delta State (Asaba and Ozoro), and the soybeans were measured using weighing balance calibrated in grammes into seed weight categories as (T1: 0.120-0.129 g, T2: 0.130-0.139 g, T3: 0.140-0.149 g, T4: 0.150-0.159 g, T5: 0.160-0.169 g). The experiment was a 2 (location) by 5 (seed weight) factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) and replicated three times. Data were collected on the agronomic and number of pods produced. Data collected were analysed using analysis of variance and means were separated using least significant differences. At 12 weeks after planting, the plant height and number of leaves produced differed significantly and ranged from 28.29±0.77 (Asaba) to 32.36±0.77 (Ozoro), 23.26±2.07 (Asaba) to 40.55±2.07 (Ozoro), respectively between locations, while the plant height, number of leaves and number of pods produced ranged from 26.17±1.21 (T1) to 30.43±1.21 (T5), 21.60±3.28 (T1) to 39.50±3.28 (T2), and 9.14±2.45 (T1) to 23.97±2.45 (T5) amongst the treatments. Planting soybean plants with a seed weight range of 0.160 – 0.169 ensures higher plant establishment and productivity relative to lighter seed weights.