Early Sowing on Some Soybean Genotypes under Organic Farming Conditions

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Agronomy
• Plant Breeding

Background:

• European demand for soybeans necessitates adaptation to diverse climates.
• Organic soybean cultivation faces challenges, particularly weed control.
• Identifying climate-resilient soybean cultivars is crucial for expanding crop viability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate soybean cultivar performance under organic farming conditions in a temperate continental climate.
• To assess the impact of sowing dates on soybean yield and resilience.
• To identify key factors influencing soybean success in non-irrigated, organic systems.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory assessment of seedling stress tolerance.
• Three-year field experiment (2020-2022) with 14 soybean accessions.
• Comparison of two sowing dates under organic farming practices.

Main Results:

• Plant population density negatively correlated with low-temperature resistance and weed infestation.
• Yield was significantly correlated with plant population density, with exceptions noted.
• Early sowing initially enhanced performance but led to reduced yields in 2022 due to chilling stress and weeds.

Conclusions:

• Early sowing in non-irrigated, temperate continental organic systems is a high-risk strategy.
• Cultivar selection and sowing date require careful consideration to mitigate climate and weed pressures.
• Further research is needed to optimize soybean production in challenging environments.