Influence of sowing time on the performance of soybean cultivars grown in contrasting environments

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different sowing times and cultivars on the expression of yield components of soybean grown in contrasting environments. Three experiments were carried out in two environments. In Condor, RS, Brazil, experiments were established in the 2018/2019 and 2022/2023 growing seasons, at two sowing times: November 8 and 25, in 2018/2019; and November 5 and 25, in 2022/2023. The evaluated cultivars were 53I54RSF IPRO, 6563RSF IPRO, and 5958RSF IPRO. In São Borja, RS, Brazil, the 2022/2023 experiment included the cultivars 57I52RSF IPRO, 55I57RSF IPRO, 6101XTD, O590 I2X, 5995I2X, and 64I61RSF IPRO. Variables were grouped as follows: plant stature (plant height, and first pod insertion height); plant architecture (fertile nodes and branches); pod distribution by grain number (on main stem and branches); grain yield; and thousand-grain weight. Data were subjected to the analysis of variance and to the Tukey’s test at 5% significance. In Condor, the sowing in the first half of November was more favorable under good weather (2018/2019), while the sowing in the second half of that month was better under adverse conditions (2022/2023). In São Borja, the 6101XTD cultivar showed the highest grain yield in 2022/2023, standing out under extreme drought conditions.