Influence of genetic potential of soybean hybrids and soil tillage on physical and biochemical yield quality traits
Abstract
Optimizing soybean production in the context of climate change and soil fertility degradation requires a balanced approach that integrates advanced breeding outcomes with efficient soil management practices. This study addresses the need for sustain a ble technological strategies that maximize both grain yield and biochem ical quality under varying agro ecological conditions. The article investigates the influence of primary soil tillage methods and the genetic potential of modern soybean hybrids on yield, 1 , 000 - seed weight, and biochemical quality traits. Field experiments were conducted in 2024–2025 on weakly acidic soils with low organic matter content in Chernihiv Oblast , Ukraine. The design included four tillage methods (moldboard plowing to 22 cm, deep loosening to 27 cm, subsurface tillage to 22 cm, and double–disk harrowing to 14 cm) and three soybean hybrids (A r cadia, Apica, and Mentor). Biochemical analysis involved determining crude protein content using the Kjeldahl method and oil content using Soxhlet extraction. The experimental results revealed that the 1 , 000-grain weight varied between 157.00 and 180.50 g. Crop yield was also significantly affected by the factors. The hybrid Apica formed the highest average yield of 3.12 t/ha, significantly outperforming Arcadia (2.83 t/ha) and Mentor (2.73 t/ha). Conventional plowing resulted in the highest average yield of 3.04 t/ha, while disk harrowing decreased it to 2.77 t/ha. The combination of plowing and the hybrid Apica provided the maximum yield of 3.27 t/ha, significantly exceeding disk harrowing with Mentor (2.60 t/ha). For biochemical traits, plowing maximized crude protein (40.18%) and oil content (20.52%), while disk harrowing significantly reduced protein to 39.03% and oil to 19.62%. The hybrid Apica accumulated the highest protein content (40.65%), while Arcadia demonstrated a strong genetic predisposition to lipid synthesis, reaching a maximum oil content of 21.30%. In conclusion, maximizing soybean productivity and quality requires combining conventional deep plowing with highly adaptive hybrids such as Apica.References
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