Response of Soybean [Glycine max L.] Varieties Grown Under Varying Inter Row Spacing in ManaSibu District, Western Oromia, Ethiopia

Current decline in soil fertility and inappropriate agronomic practices are among the main factors for low productivity of soybean. Thus, this study was initiated with the aim of investigating the response of varieties and inters row spacing on yield and yield components of soybean. Treatments consisting of 4x4 factorial combination of soybean variety with inter row spacing was laid out using RCB design with three replications at ManaSibu District, western Oromia, Ethiopia. The findings revealed that the main effect of variety at varying inter row spacing was highly significant (P<0.01) for number of pods per plant, above ground biomass, grain yield and harvest index. While main effect of variety was also highly significant for hundred seed weight but significant (P<0.05) for number seeds per pod. While the interaction effect of variety and inter row spacing was also highly significant effect (P<0.01) on grain yield while significant on number of pods per plant and harvest index. Soybean Variety ‘Dhidessa’ gave the highest number of pods per plant (78.8) at 50 and 60 cm inter row spacing as well as maximum hundred grain weight (18.3g), grain yield (3703.7kgha-1) and harvest index (58.82%) at 50 cm inter row spacing. Generally, it can be concluded that ‘Dhidessa’ variety gave superior in grain yield at 50 cm inter row spacing at ManaSibu area and may be also suitable for similar agroecology. Keywords: Soybean, grain yield; plant population, yield components. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-15-03 Publication date:August 31st 202