Soybean Cultivation in Kharif Season: IARI Recommends Improved Varieties and Scientific Techniques
IARI Advisory for Indian Soybean Farmers
26 May 2025, New Delhi: As the Kharif season begins, farmers across India gear up for soybean sowing. Among oilseed crops, soybean stands out as a key player — rich in protein and fiber, and crucial for both the animal feed and edible oil industries. To support farmers, scientists from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) have shared guidance on advanced soybean varieties and modern scientific farming methods to help increase yields and reduce production costs.
Ideal Soil for Soybean
According to IARI experts, selecting the right type of soil is critical for a good harvest. Sandy loam and loamy soils with high organic carbon content are best suited for soybean cultivation. Deep ploughing of the field once every 2–3 years is recommended to maintain proper moisture levels and nutrient balance in the soil.
Field Preparation Before Sowing
Once the monsoon sets in, the field should be leveled using a cultivator 2–3 times, followed by a planking. During the final ploughing, incorporate 5 to 10 tonnes of well-decomposed farmyard manure or 2.5 tonnes of poultry manure per hectare for improved soil fertility.
Recommended Varieties by Region
IARI has identified high-yielding soybean varieties suited to specific agro-climatic zones:
- Northern Plains (e.g., Delhi): Pusa 12, SL 952, NRC 130
- Central Region (e.g., Madhya Pradesh): JS 20-34, JS 116, JS 335, NRC 128
Seed Treatment and Sowing Practices
Seeds should have a minimum germination rate of 70%. If germination is lower, farmers should increase the seed rate accordingly. Before sowing, seeds must be treated with fungicides such as Thiram or Carbendazim to prevent seed-borne diseases.
Sowing Guidelines:
- Row-to-row spacing: 35–45 cm
- Plant-to-plant spacing: 4–5 cm
- Seed depth: 3–4 cm
- Seed rate: 65–75 kg per hectare
- Best sowing window: Between June 15 and July 5
Recommended Fertilizer Dosage per Hectare
To ensure optimal plant nutrition, IARI suggests the following nutrient application:
- Urea: 56 kg
- Single Super Phosphate (SSP): 450–625 kg
- Muriate of Potash (MOP): 34–84 kg
Water Management and Weed Control
Soybean is primarily a rainfed crop, but timely irrigation becomes crucial if rainfall is insufficient. The crop requires more water during the early growth stages, flowering, and pod formation.
Weeds pose a serious challenge to soybean production. Use of herbicides is advised but should be done only under the supervision of an agricultural expert to avoid crop damage.
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