Growth and yield performance of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) genotypes in Minna, Niger State

Abstract

The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology, Gidan-Kwano campus Minna, Niger state during the 2018 cropping season between July and November 2018 to determine the growth and yield performance of six soybean genotypes. The genotypes were TGx 1987-62F, TGx 1835, TGx 1955, TGx 1951-3F, TGx 1904-6F and TGx 1448-2E. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications and a gross and net plot size of 4.5 m2 and 3 m2 respectively. Data for emergence percentage, plant height (cm), number of leaves, days to 50 % flowering, number of pods per plant, number of branches and 100-seed weight (g) were collected. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5 % probability level. TGx 1951-3F showed the highest emergence percentage (50.70 %) with early flowering at 49 days after sowing. Among the evaluated genotypes, TGx 1951-3F gave the highest 100 seed weight (13.53 g). This was closely followed by TGx 1904-6F (13.36 g). The genotype TGx 1951-3F which produced the highest 100 seed yield could be selected for further evaluation and cultivation in areas with similar agro-ecological conditions