Assessing the yield potential of soybean maturity groups in different Ukrainian climatic zoness

V. Yatsenko¹*, N. Yatsenko², N. Komisarenko³, V. Kravchenko¹, L. Vyshnevska¹, Z. Kovtunyuk², A. Lozinska⁴ and S. Usyk⁴

¹Uman National University, Faculty of Agronomy, Department of Crop Production, Instytutska Street, 1, UA20301 Uman, Ukraine
²Uman National University, Faculty of Horticulture, Ecology and Plants Protection, Department of Vegetable Growing, Instytutska Street, 1, UA20301 Uman, Ukraine
³Uman National University, Faculty of Management, Department of Ukrainian and Foreign Languages, Instytutska Street, 1, UA20301 Uman, Ukraine
⁴Uman National University, Faculty of Agronomy, Department of Agronomy, Instytutska Street, 1, UA20301 Uman, Ukraine
*Correspondence: slaviksklavin16@gmail.com

Abstract:

In the context of global climate change, increasing demands for food security, and the need to expand sources of plant-based protein, soybean is gaining particular importance as a highly productive and valuable agricultural crop. Purpose. The study aimed to evaluate the yield potential of soybean cultivars from different maturity groups under various agro-climatic conditions of Ukraine by analysing their adaptability, productivity, and stability. The objective was to justify the selection of maturity groups best suited for specific regions to ensure sustainable soybean production. Methods. Field experiments were conducted in 2023–2024 across three agro-climatic zones: Odesa (Steppe), Cherkasy (Forest-Steppe), and Zhytomyr (Polissia). A total of 26 early- and mid-maturing soybean cultivars of Ukrainian and foreign origin were evaluated. Adaptive variability was assessed using standard statistical methods. Results. Among early-maturing cultivars, Taverna, Eri, and Calgary showed superior individual productivity, surpassing the standard by 9–13% in seed weight per plant and reaching yields up to 3.15 t ha⁻¹ in Polissia. These cultivars demonstrated high plasticity and stability across environments. Among mid-maturing cultivars, ES Visitor and ES Collector delivered consistently high yields across all zones, exceeding the standard by 0.09–0.26 t ha⁻¹. Alicia also showed high productivity in the Forest-Steppe and Polissia, making it suitable for regions with moderate moisture. The highest average yield for early-maturing cultivars was recorded in Polissia (2.50 t ha⁻¹), and for mid-maturing ones – in the Forest-Steppe (2.68 t ha⁻¹). Regardless of the zone, Taverna, Eri, Calgary, ES Visitor, and ES Collector demonstrated stable and high productivity. Conclusions. The findings provide a basis for optimising cultivar selection and soybean production technologies, tailored to regional climatic conditions and challenges posed by climate change.

Key words:

: adaptability, cultivar, grain weight, soybean, yield

Wheat cultivars exposed to high temperature at onset of anthesis for yield and yield traits analysis

R. Goher and M. Akmal*

Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Production Sciences, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar-25130, Pakistan
*Correspondence: akmal@aup.edu.pk

Abstract:

Temperature fluxes at some critical growth stages adversely affect the crop yield. Heat stress (HS) of limited duration shows mild to marked effects on crop yield. The study focused on evaluating HS of limited durations on wheat crop effective from anthesis. Four wheat cultivars (Pirsabak-2005, Pakhtunkhwa-2015, Pakistan-2013, and DN-84) and three advanced lines (P-2, P-12, and P-18) were subjected to HS for 48, 72, and 96 h evaluating changes in the yield and yield contributing traits. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design during 2017–18 and 2018–19 at Agronomy Research Farm, the University of Agriculture Peshawar Pakistan. At the onset of anthesis, plants were exposed to HS in the plastic tunnel for limited durations. The temperature inside and outside tents was recorded periodically. The mean across the years showed a significant effect on yield traits by HS imposition at anthesis stage. The mean data across the two years showed a significant effect of HS on yield and yield contributing traits. In comparison with control, spike weight (g) reduced by 29, 40, and 49% under limited HS of 48, 72, and 96 h, respectively. Grains per spike were decreased by 45, 61, and 69% and grain weight by 29, 36, and 45% from control to imposed HS of 48, 72, and 96 h, respectively. Overall grain yield decreased by 44, 61, and 70% upon exposed to 48, 72, and 96 h of HS, respectively. The differences among the cultivars for yield and yield contributing traits were different under various HS conditions. The study concluded that HS effective from anthesis has an adverse effect on grain weight and number and hence the grain yield. Among the cultivars, Pakistan-2013 showed better resistance to HS of limited duration when exposed at the anthesis stage of the crop growth.

Key words: