Bioscience Methods 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 337-347 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/bm 339 Sprinkler irrigation is another effective technique. Research has shown that sprinkler irrigation at 80% crop evapotranspiration (ETC) significantly improved physiological performance, water productivity, and yield of soybeans compared to standard flood irrigation (Sachin et al., 2023). This method also reduced canopy temperature, which is beneficial for maintaining plant health under heat stress conditions. Figure 1 Field situation of soybean planting (Photo credit: Yuting Zhong) 3.2 Water conservation practices in soybean production Water conservation practices are essential for sustainable soybean production, especially in regions with limited water resources. One effective practice is the use of optimized irrigation regimes. For instance, a study in a temperate environment found that applying 65% of full irrigation (I65) produced the highest seed yield and water productivity, indicating that moderate water stress can enhance water use efficiency without compromising yield (Gajić et al., 2018). Another conservation strategy is the integration of crop rotation and no-till farming systems. Research in São Paulo, Brazil, showed that irrigation rates of 70% and 100% of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) in conventional systems provided higher grain yields. However, the study also highlighted the potential long-term benefits of no-till systems, which can improve soil moisture retention and reduce water requirements over time (Cruz et al., 2021). 3.3 Drought resistance and management of water stress Developing drought-resistant soybean varieties and implementing effective water stress management practices are critical for maintaining high yields under water-limited conditions. High-yielding soybean varieties have been shown to cope with mild drought by enhancing their photoprotective defenses and increasing intrinsic water use efficiency. For example, the variety N-3001 exhibited a faster transition into the reproductive stage to avoid drought periods, demonstrating a strategic adaptation to water stress (Buezo et al., 2018).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==