EVALUATION OF SOYBEAN (GLYINE MAX L.) CULTIVARS PRODUCTIVITY IN RELATION TO DIFFERENT SOWING DATES IN THE KEFFI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, NASARAWA STATE

This study investigated the influence of sowing dates and soybean cultivars on the growth parameters and yield under semi-arid conditions in Keffi, Nasarawa State. The primary objective was to identify the best planting time and cultivar combination for sustained productivity. Data were collected for different growth parameters, including plant height, seed oil content, and yield, across three sowing dates (June 21, July 6, and July 21) and four soybean cultivars (TGX-1951, TGX-2020, TGX-1448-2E, and TGX-1904). Statistical analyses, including ANOVA, were performed to determine the significance of the interaction between sowing dates and cultivars. The results revealed that sowing dates significantly impacted several growth parameters, with early planting (June 21) often resulting in superior performance. The effect of soybean cultivars was less consistent, suggesting that environmental factors, particularly the sowing date, play a more dominant role in determining growth and yield in semi-arid conditions. The study also identified variability in cultivar performance, emphasizing the need for careful selection based on adaptability to specific environmental conditions. It was concluded that optimizing sowing dates and selecting cultivars suited to semi-arid environments can significantly enhance soybean productivity. The recommendations included adopting early sowing dates, promoting farmer education on best practices, and conducting further research to explore cultivar-specific responses to environmental stress. The study’s findings provide valuable insights for improving soybean cultivation under semi-arid conditions, despite limitations such as geographical scope and single-season analysis. Future research should focus on multi-season studies and broader geographic coverage to validate these findings