Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 280-290 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 280 Research Insight Open Access The Role of Plant Density and Nutrient Management in Soybean Yield Optimization Jianhua Wang1, XinLin2, Xiaoying Li 2 1 Niujinsuiyue Agricultural Development (Songyang County) Co., Ltd, Songyang, 323406, Zhejiang, China 2 Songyang County Shuimoshicang Agricultural Products Co., Ltd, Songyang 323499, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: 2714489364@qq.com Legume Genomics and Genetics, 2024 Vol.15, No.6 doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0027 Received: 05 Nov., 2024 Accepted: 06 Dec., 2024 Published: 17 Dec., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang J.H., Lin X., and Li X.Y., 2024, The role of plant density and nutrient management in soybean yield optimization, Legume Genomics and Genetics, 15(6): 280-290 (doi: 10.5376/lgg.2024.15.0027) Abstract This study explores the role of plant density and nutrient management in optimizing soybean yield. High plant density significantly increases soybean productivity by enhancing canopy light interception and dry matter accumulation but may also lead to increased competition for resources. Low plant density helps improve individual plant growth and nutrient use efficiency, although the overall yield may slightly decrease. Nutrient management is crucial for soybean growth, with different growth stages requiring different nutrient needs. Proper nutrient supply and management strategies can enhance soybean's adaptability to environmental stresses, increase yield, and reduce input costs. This review proposes optimized strategies for the synergy between plant density and nutrient management to improve soybean productivity and sustainability. Keywords Plant density; Nutrient management; Soybean yield; Canopy light interception; Resource use efficiency 1 Introduction Soybean (Glycine max) is a critical crop in global agriculture, primarily valued for its high oil and protein content. It serves as a major source of vegetable oil and protein for both human consumption and animal feed. The efficient production of soybean is essential to meet the growing global demand for these nutrients (Bagale, 2021). The crop's ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen through symbiosis with Bradyrhizobiumbacteria also makes it a valuable component in sustainable agricultural systems (Luca et al., 2014). The optimization of soybean yield is increasingly challenged by climate change and the limited availability of arable land. Climate change impacts, such as altered precipitation patterns and increased temperatures, can adversely affect soybean growth and productivity (Dass et al., 2022). Additionally, the expansion of soybean cultivation into less suitable agro-climatic regions necessitates improved management practices to maintain yield levels (Adamič and Leskovšek, 2021). The limited arable land available for soybean cultivation further underscores the need for strategies that maximize yield per unit area (Assefa et al., 2019). This study aims to explore how plant density and nutrient management can work together to optimize soybean yield. To investigate the interaction between these two factors provide insights into effective agricultural practices that can enhance soybean productivity. The study will cover various aspects of plant density, including its impact on inter-plant competition and canopy light interception, as well as the role of nutrient management in addressing deficiencies and improving resource-use efficiency. The ultimate goal is to identify practices that can sustainably increase soybean yield while minimizing input costs and environmental impacts. 2 Basics and Concepts of Soybean Plant Density 2.1 Definition and types of plant density Plant density refers to the number of plants per unit area, which can significantly influence crop yield and quality. In soybean cultivation, plant density is typically categorized into high, low, and moderate densities. High-density planting involves a greater number of plants per hectare, which can enhance canopy light interception and dry matter accumulation, leading to increased productivity. For instance, a study demonstrated that higher planting
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