Soybean Cultivation in India |ForumIAS

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News: On the occasion of Soybean Harvest Day, the yield potential of the improved soybean Varieties NRC 268 and NRC 270 was assessed.

About Soybean Cultivation in India

Soybean (Glycine max) is a significant legume in the pea family (Fabaceae).
It is known for its nitrogenfixing ability through symbiosis with soil bacteria
Soybean is a nutritionally rich and industrially valuable crop, used in food, feed, and biobased industries
Geographical condition for its growth:
- Temperature: It is highly sensitive to temperature throughout its life cycle. Optimum growth happens between 20°C and 35°C (with ideal ranges around 26.5°C to 30°C).
- Climate: It grows well in warm and moist climate.
- Rainfall: It is highly sensitive to water stress, particularly during critical growth phases such as flowering, pod development, and seed filling.
- Soil: A well drained, sandy loam to clayey soils with medium water holding capacity, rich in organic carbon is ideal.
  - It requires pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

It is primarily grown as a Kharif crop in India.
Soybean Producing states: It Is cultivated in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
At present, the average soybean productivity in India is approximately 10–11 quintals per hectare.
Scope of Improved Varieties: Improved soybean Varieties NRC 268 and NRC 270 are being devised by the ICAR for better yield.
- Research and trials conducted across the country indicate that yields of 15–20 quintals per hectare can be achieved by adopting improved varieties and appropriate production technologies.
- Under favourable conditions, yields may potentially reach approximately 22–25 quintals per hectare.