Effect of dry matter allocation in vegetative and reproductive growth stages on competitiveness of soybean cultivars

ABSTRACT: A field experiment was carried out to determine some effective growth parameters in competitiveness ability of soybean cultivars. A split-plot trial in randomised complete block design with three replicates was used. Weedy and weed free treatments were considered as main plots and 6 soybean cultivars including Hill, 033, Sahar, Sari, 032 and Telar were randomized in main plots. The crop was planted with placing 12 seeds m-1 in rows 0.5 m apart. Height and weight of main stem, leaf area and leaf dry weight of the first trifoliate and total leaf dry weight at V2 stage and total leaf area, main stem length and main stem allocation at R1 growth stage was determined. In the weedy plots at V2 stage, Telar and 033 cultivars were produced the maximum first trifoliate leaf dry weight. Presence of weeds reduced total leaf dry weight production. Dry matter allocation to main stem of Sari in the weedy condition was maxima. In the weed presence condition, Telar and 032 were produced the highest total dry matter. At R1 stage, Hill cultivar produced the maximum leaf area, leaf dry weight, main stem dry weight and total dry matter in weedy condition. Results showed Hill had more performance in dry matter allocation to leaves, weed biomass reduction and produced more yield than other cultivars.