Legume Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.6, 303-314 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/lgg 304 microbial inoculants, and advanced seeding systems to promote soybean growth, yield, and quality. By exploring the interactions between these measures and their impact on soybean performance, this article aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the best strategies for achieving sustainable soybean cultivation. The research scope covers field trial analysis conducted in different agricultural ecological regions, highlighting the potential of integrated agronomic management in addressing soybean yield optimization challenges and promoting global food security. 2 Soil Health and Nutrient Management 2.1 Soil composition and its impact on soybean growth Soil composition plays a critical role in determining the growth and yield of soybean. The presence of organic matter, such as Farmyard Manure (FYM), significantly enhances soil health by increasing organic carbon content and improving nutrient availability. For instance, the application of FYM along with NPK fertilizers has been shown to increase soybean yield by 5.9% compared to NPK alone, highlighting the importance of organic amendments in soil composition (Sikka et al., 2013). Additionally, the use of Composted Sewage Sludge (CSS) in naturally infertile soils has been found to increase soil micronutrient concentrations and improve soybean yield by up to 20% compared to conventional fertilization methods (Prates et al., 2020). These findings underscore the necessity of maintaining a balanced soil composition to optimize soybean growth. 2.2 Nutrient requirements of soybean Soybean plants have specific nutrient requirements that must be met to achieve optimal growth and yield. Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the primary macronutrients essential for soybean development. Integrated nutrient management practices, such as the combined use of organic and inorganic fertilizers, have been shown to significantly enhance nutrient uptake and soybean yield. For example, the integrated use of FYM and micronutrients like boron and iron with inorganic NPK fertilizers can replace up to 10 kgN, 30 kg P2O5, and 20 kgK2O per hectare, thereby improving yield attributes such as pods per plant and seed weight (Chaturvedi et al., 2012). Moreover, foliar application of macro- and micronutrients, including zinc and boron, at the pod initiation stage has been found to increase seed yield by up to 37.8% compared to no foliar nutrition (Dass et al., 2022). These practices ensure that soybean plants receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth. 2.3 Fertilizer application techniques for optimal growth Effective fertilizer application techniques are crucial for maximizing soybean yield and maintaining soil health. The integration of organic and inorganic fertilizers has been shown to improve soil functionality and soybean production. For instance, the use of straw mulch combined with nitrogen fertilizer enhances soil enzyme activities and nutrient availability, leading to a 75% increase in grain yield over a three-year period (Akhtar et al., 2019) (Table 1). Additionally, no-till farming practices, coupled with appropriate phosphorus fertilization, have been found to improve phosphorus uptake and utilization efficiency, resulting in higher soybean yields (Chauke et al., 2022). The application of Composted Sewage Sludge (CSS) using whole area or between-row methods has also been demonstrated to increase soybean yield by up to 67% compared to control treatments (Prates et al., 2020). These techniques highlight the importance of adopting integrated and sustainable fertilizer application methods to achieve optimal soybean growth and yield. 3 Water Management and Irrigation Practices 3.1 Water needs of soybean throughout growth stages Soybean plants have varying water requirements throughout their growth stages, which significantly impact their yield and overall health. During the vegetative stage, adequate water is essential for establishing a robust plant structure, while the reproductive stage demands consistent moisture to support pod development and seed filling. Research indicates that supplemental irrigation during the reproductive stage (R1-R8) positively affects soybean growth and development, leading to higher dry matter and leaf area index compared to rainfed conditions (Montoya et al., 2017). Additionally, water stress at critical growth stages such as early flowering (R1) to
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