Yield improvement of soybean (Glycine max L. var. Wilis through application of organic plant biostimulant

Abstract

TheIndonesian government program of achieving self sufficiency of soybean by 2020 requires technological innovations for the farmers. The use of plant biostimulant is an innovative strategy and proven previously to increase the productivity of several other food crops. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of PPBBI bi ostimulant on the growth, productivity and quality of a Wilis variety of soybean under greenhouse conditions. PPBBI biostimulant at 10 ppm and 20 ppm, was applied using foliar spray method with 20 mL volume to each plant. The applications were carried out 1 time, 2 times and 3 times . Six biostimulant treatments showed significant positive effects on the vegetative growth rate , generative organ development , and yield . The b iostimulant accelera ted vegetative growth to enter the generative phase earlier compared to control plants. The period of generative organs maturity required for treated plants was 7 14 d shorter compared to control plants so that the harvest period was 21 d shorter. Weight per 100 seeds of the P2 3 (application 3 times at 20 ppm); P2 2 (application 2 times at 20 ppm); P2 1 (application 1 time at 20 ppm) and P1 3 (application 3 times at 10 ppm) treatments were 20.16 g; 17.65 g; 18.89 g and 16.89 g respectively with no significant difference w hile the control plants was only 11.60 g . Based on the results of all parameters e.g.average number of seeds average weight per seed, and potential for yield improvement, the treatment of P1 3 (application 3 times at 10 ppm) was the best tr eatment with potential yield increase by 59.06% and oil content by 11.37%.

Keywords

• generative
• organic biostimulant
• productivity
• vegetative