Performance of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] Cultivars under Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the performance of selected soybean varieties under irrigated and rainfed conditions. Methods: A split-plot field experiment was conducted with 11 soybean cultivars on chernozem soil under irrigated and non-irrigated conditions during 2017-2019. There were four replications. The LAI, NDVI values, plant height, number of nodes, the height of the lowest pod, seed yield, protein yield, moisture, protein and oil content of the seeds were observed. Result: In the 3 years there were significant differences in LAI among the varieties, Isidor (2017: 9.2, 2018: 15.0 m(2)m(-2)) and Bolyi 612 (2019: 9.5 m(2)m(-2)) showed the highest LAI. Irrigation significantly increased the LAI (24.1%) and height of the soybean (9.83%) on average of the years. NDVI values were not affected by the irrigation in this experiment, not even in the droughty 2017 year. Seed yield was not increased by the irrigation in 2017 and 2018, the difference was significant only in 2019. Irrigation increased the protein content by 3.9%. There were significant differences in the protein content and protein yield of the genotypes in all three years. On average of the 3 years, Isidor produced the highest protein yield (1659.3 kg ha(-1)).