Soybean Variety Evaluation Under Three Edaphic Conditions in Guyana

Abstract

A soybean varietal trial was conducted to test the adaptability of 15 entries to one relatively fertile and two agriculturally marginal soils which prevail along Guyana's coastal belt. The trials were established in late December 1975 and ended in May 1976. The best known soil and crop management practices were used. Rainfall was anomalously high during the trial period and totalled 75% more than the 100 year average reported for all the sites. The mean seed yield of all entries on the three soils was 2.8 tons/ha, which included varieties that were poorly adapted on given soils. Variety Jupiter yielded highest giving 5.9 tons/ha on the fertile soils and 3.5 tons/ha on the marginal soils. Agronomic characteristics such as plant height at maturity, days to flower, days to maturity, podding score, 100-seed weight, nodulation score, lodging and shattering are reported and discussed.