The Effect of Sodium Chloride Salinity Stress on the Growth and Yield of Two Varieties of Soybean Plant (Glycine max L.)

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a protein-rich food commodity used in various processed products whose availability in Indonesia is still low. The main factors causing its low production were conversion and climate change. Efforts to overcome this condition were to use superior varieties such as Grobogan and Wilis and the utilization of marginal land such as tidal land. However, high soil salinity in coastal areas can inhibit soybean growth. This study aimed to determine the effect of salinity stress on the growth and yield of Grobogan and Wilis soybean varieties and the tolerant dose of NaCl salt for soybean. The study was conducted at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University, Indonesia, from May to August 2024. The study used a factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors: soybean varieties (Grobogan and Wilis) and NaCl salinity levels (0 g/l, 2.5 g/l, 5 g/l, and 7.5 g/l). The data obtained were analyzed statistically using the F test at a significance level of 5%, and if there was a significant effect, it was then continued with Duncan's New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) with a level of 5%. The results showed that the interaction between varieties and salinity stress did not significantly affect the studied parameters. The Grobogan and Wilis varieties gave similar responses. However, salinity stress affected all parameters except the number of seeds per pod. The salinity dose that can still be tolerated was 2.5 g/l.