Effect of seed coating on the yield of soybean Glycine max (L.) Merr.

Enhanced seeds, e.g. dressed, encrusted or pelleted seeds, are often sown in agricultural practice. These treatments play a different role depending on the type and chemical composition of the preparation. The aim of the experiment was to compare the effectiveness of three coatings (B - chitosan, C - chitosan + alginate/jojoba oil/E and D - chitosan + alginate/PEG) applied to soybean seeds in comparison to control (A). The study was carried out in three cultivars: Annushka, Mavka and Smuglyanka. The coatings did not differentiate seed yield in 2018 due to favourable weather conditions. The use of coating D in the following years increased seed yield by 0.46 t/ha in 2019 and by 0.51 t/ha in 2020 compared to control. The obtained results allow concluding that coating D was the most effective in soybean cultivation. The field emergence capacity, plant density as well as the SPAD (soil plant analysis development) and LAI (leaf area index) indices were significantly increased compared to control as a result of this coating application. The gs index (stomatal leaf conductance) was significantly reduced. The cv. Smuglyanka yields were significantly higher compared to cvs. Mavka and Annushka, by 0.32 t/ha and 0.85 t/ha, respectively. The difference in seed yield between 2018 and 2019 was 0.81 t/ha.