Climate / Temperature:

Climate: Soybean is a key Kharif crop, requiring a warm and humid environment for optimal growth. It thrives in regions with 600 to 850 millimeters of rainfall.

Temperature: The ideal temperature range for soybean growth is between 26.5°C to 30°C. A minimum soil temperature of 15.5°C is required for fast germination and early development.

Water Demand: Being a Kharif crop, soybean typically doesn't require irrigation. However, during the grain-filling stage in September, if the field lacks sufficient moisture, one or two light irrigations can be beneficial. In the absence of rainfall, irrigation should be based on the soil's moisture content.

Soil: Soybean can be grown on most soil types, except very light sandy or sandy loam soils. Well-drained loamy soil is ideal, and fields should be crumbly and free of lumps. The recommended soil pH for soybean is between 6.3 and 6.5.

Major Varieties:

1. NRC-86: Resistant to Girdle beetle and stem fly. Matures in 90-95 days. Yield: 20-25 quintals per hectare.
2. JS-335: Hairless pods, matures in 95-100 days. Yield: 25-30 quintals per hectare.
3. NRC-7: Resistant to Girdle beetle and stem fly. Matures in 90-99 days. Yield: 25-35 quintals per hectare.
4. NRC-12: Resistant to yellow mosaic, matures in 96-99 days. Yield: 25-30 quintals per hectare.
5. JS 20-29: Resistant to yellow mosaic and pests. Matures in 90-95 days. Yield: 25-30 quintals per hectare.
6. JS 20-34: Resistant to leaf spot and pests, suited for low rainfall areas. Matures in 87-88 days. Yield: 22-25 quintals per hectare.
7. JS 93-05: Early maturing, semi-determinate, matures in 90-95 days. Yield: 25-30 quintals per hectare.

Sowing of Crops: Soybean should be sown between the last week of June and the first week of July, after receiving 4-5 inches of rainfall. Row spacing should be 40 cm for less spreading varieties like JS 93-05 and 45 cm for more spreading varieties like JS 335.

Suitable Time of Sowing: Sowing should be done after adequate rainfall, generally in the last week of June to the first week of July.

Field Preparation: Deep plowing of the field should be conducted from March to mid-May. For sowing, furrows should be created after every 5-6 rows to aid water drainage and conservation during heavy rainfall.

Crop Cycle: Soybean matures within 90-100 days, depending on the variety. After harvest, crop rotation is recommended with soybean-wheat or soybean-mustard rotations for better soil health.

Water Management: Soybean usually does not require frequent irrigation, but during dry spells or grain-filling stages, light irrigations may be needed. Proper furrow management can help maintain soil moisture during water shortages.

Weed Management: Weeds should be managed carefully to prevent competition for nutrients. Pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides can be used as necessary, and manual weeding should be done during critical growth stages.

Harvesting: Soybean should be harvested when the moisture content in seeds reaches 14-16% to avoid splitting. The crop should be sun-dried for 2-3 days before threshing at low speeds. After threshing, seeds should be dried for 3-4 days before being stored.

Diseases & Disease Prevention:

1. Rust Disease: Appears during flowering. Symptoms include reddish-brown spots on the underside of leaves and yellow areas surrounding these spots. Control by removing and destroying infected plants.
2. Charcoal Rot Disease: Causes roots to dry and leaves to turn yellow. A reddish-brown color appears on the stem. Resistant varieties include JS 20-34 and NRC 86. Infected plants should be destroyed.
3. Anthracnose and Pod Blight: Affects stems and pods, causing red to dark brown spots. Symptoms include yellowing and curling of leaves. Control by planting resistant varieties such as NRC 7 and NRC 12.