Soybean called as golden beans is belongs to legume family. It is native of East Asia. It is a rich source of Protein also excellent source of fibre. Oil extracted from soybean contain small amount of saturated fat. In Punjab, it plays an important role in crop diversification.      

It gives good result, when grown on well drained, fertile loamy soils. pH of 6 to 7.5 is favorable for optimum yield of soybean. Water logged, saline/alkaline soils are not suitable for its cultivation. Low temperature affect crop severely.

MACS 13: Ready to harvest within 90-100days. It gives an average yield of 8-12qtl/acre. The variety is resistant to bacterial pustules.

Monetta: Ready to harvest within 80-85days. It gives an average yield of 6-8qtl/acre. The variety is tolerant to insect-pests. 

MACS 57: Ready to harvest within 85-100days. It gives an average yield of 10-12qtl/acre. The variety is resistant to soybean mosaic bacterial pustules and bud blight.

Prasad (MAUS 32): Ready to harvest within 100-105days. It gives an average yield of 12-14qtl/acre. The variety is moderately resistant to common diseases and pests. 

TAMS 38: Suitable for sowing in Vidarbha region. The variety is ready to harvest within 95days and gives an average yield of 8.6qtl/acre. The variety is moderately resistant to pod blight and tolerant to soybean rus. 

Phule Kalyani (DS 228): The variety is ready to harvest within 95-100days and gives an average yield of 9.4qtl/acre. 

TAMS 98-21: The variety is ready to harvest within 95-100days and gives an average yield of 8.8-10.4qtl/acre. The variety is moderately resistant to rust, leaf spot disease and insects.

MAUS 158: Suitable for sowing in Marathwada region. The variety is ready to harvest within 93-98days and gives an average yield of 9qtl/acre. The variety is tolerant to bacteria. 

JG 74, JG 315, JG 322, Pusa 391, Vishwas (Phule G 5), Vijay, Vishal, JG 218, JG 16, JG 130, JGG 1, JGK 1 and BGD 128(K) are the improved varieties which are suitable for sowing in Maharashtra. 

Other state varieties: 

JS 93-05: Ready to harvest in 90-95days. Gives average yield of 8-10qtl/acre.

JS 95-60: Ready to harvest in 80-85days. Gives average yield of 8-10qtl/acre.

JS 97-52: Ready to harvest in 100-110days. Gives average yield of 10-12qtl/acre.

JS 20-29: Ready to harvest in 90-95days. Gives average yield of 8-10qtl/acre. Resistant to yellow mosaic virus, charcoal rot.  

JS 20-34: Ready to harvest in 87-89days. Gives average yield of 9-10qtl/acre. Resistant to leaf blight.

NRC 7: Ready to harvest in 90-95days. Gives average yield of 10-14qtl/acre. Tolerant to Girdle beetle, stem fly.

NRC 12: Ready to harvest in 96-99days. Gives average yield of 10-12qtl/acre. Resistant to yellow mosaic. 

NRC 86: Ready to harvest in 90-95days. Gives average yield of 8-10qtl/acre. Resistant to charcoal rot disease.

Bragg: Suitable for cultivation through out India. Ready to harvest in 112-115days. Gives average yield of 15-20qtl/acre.

In the month of April or after harvesting of Rabi crop, do deep ploughing. It will help to destroyed eggs of Insect. After Ploughing for three-four times carryout planking operation and levelled soil so that water stagnation will not occurred in field.  

Time of sowing

Optimum time for kharif cultivation is in first fortnight of June month. Sow seeds only when, sufficient moisture is present in soil (at least 50-60mm rainfall received for 2-3days).

Spacing

Spacing vary with variety used. Like for spreading variety keep row to row distance of 45cm. Whereas for non-spreading variety use row to row spacing of 40cm. Keep plant to plant spacing of 15cm.

Sowing Depth

Under optimum moisture condition, sow seeds at depth of 2.5 to 3cm. Avoid deep sowing as it will affect germination.

Method of sowing

Sow seeds with help seed drill.

Seed Rate

For sowing one acre land, use seed rate of 28-32kg/acre.

Seed Treatment

To protect seeds from soil borne diseases, treat seeds with Thiram + Carbendazim or Captan@3gm per kg of seeds. After chemical treatment, treat seeds with Trichoderma viride@4-5gm/kg of seeds.  

Nitrogen@1.5kg and phosphorus@2kg should be given at the time of sowing for per acre land. 

As it is rainfed crop it doesn’t required irrigation. But if needed apply irrigation depending upon rainfall conditions. Irrigation at time of pod filling stage is necessary. Water stress at this period will affect yield drastically.

To keep field weed free, two hand weeding are required, take first hand weeding 15-20days after sowing and second 30-40days after sowing.

To control weed chemically, after sowing, within two days, take spray of Pendimethalin@600ml/acre in 100-200Ltrs of water or apply Imazethapyr@30-40gm/acre in 300-320Ltr water as post-emergence herbicide, 15 to 20 Days after sowing.

• Pests and their control:

White Fly: For white fly control, take spray of Thiamethoxam@40 gm or Triazophos@300 ml/acre. If necessary take second spray 10 days after first spray.

Tobacco caterpillar: If infestation is observed, take spray of Acephate 57SP@800 gm/acre or Chlorpyriphos 20EC@ 1.5 ltr/acre. If necessary take second spray 10 days after first spray.

Hairy Caterpillar: To control hairy caterpillar pick caterpillar manually and destroyed by crushing or putting in kerosene water when infestation is low. In case of high infestation, take spray of Quinalphos@300 ml or Dichlorvos@200 ml/acre.

Blister beetle: They cause damage at flowering stage. They feed on flowers, buds thus prevent grain formation.

If infestation is observed, take spray of Indoxacarb 14.5SC@200 ml or Acephate 75SC@800 gm/acre. Carry out spraying in evening hours and if necessary take second spray 10 days after first spray.        

• Disease and their control:

Yellow mosaic virus: It is spread due to white fly. Irregular yellow, green patches are observed on leaves. Pods not developed on infected plants.

Grow yellow mosaic virus resistant varieties. For white fly control, take spray of Thiamethoxam@40 gm, Triazophos@ 400 ml/acre. If necessary take second spray 10 days after first spray. 

Pods become dry and leaves changes their color to yellow and fall of, it is sign of crop is ready for harvesting. Harvest the crop with sickle or by hand. After harvesting, carry out threshing operation. 

After drying, carry out proper cleaning of seeds. Remove small size seeds, damaged seeds and crop stalks.