Innovative nutrient management practices for soybean production in southern Kazakhstan

The southern regions of Kazakhstan, characterized by aridity and a continental climate, are currently facing a complex interplay of emerging challenges in the agricultural sector. Therefore, transitioning to advanced agrotechnologies in soybean production in this region might support broader science-driven solutions. Field trials were conducted between 2021 and 2023 to assess the effects of plant growth stimulator and micronutrients on soybean productivity under the harsh conditions of South Kazakhstan. The treatments were as follows: control without any application; seed priming with Vimpel (0.5 L/ton) and Orakul (1.5 L/ton) was applied in T1. In T2 and T3, these applications were supplemented with foliar treatments of Vimpel (0.5 L/ha) and Orakul (2.0 L/ha) at the 3–5 leaf stage and the bud formation stage. In T4, additional foliar Vimpel (0.5 L/ha), Orakul (2.0 L/ha), and Orakul Kolofermin (2.0 L/ha) were applied at the bud formulation stage. Results showed that soybean yield increased progressively in response to the multi-stage application of plant growth stimulator along with micronutrients. The grain yield reached 2063 and 2,185 kg/ha in T2 and T3, surpassing the control by 30.4 and 38.1%, respectively. The greatest increase (54.6%) was observed in T4, highlighting the potential of the multi-stage applications for greater efficacy with balanced nutrient interventions. In this treatment, the water productivity (WP) value also enhanced by 48.6% and the harvest index (HI) by 17.9%, contributing to more efficient water use strategies. This study presents the advantages of the applied innovative nutrient management practices in enhancing soybean production under adverse agroecosystems in southern Kazakhstan, while simultaneously reducing dependence on widely used chemical fertilizers.