Screening thirty soybean genotypes under solid and intercropping plantings in Egypt

Abstract

Cropping systems are relatively more important for testing soybean genotypes under Egyptian conditions. A field experiment was carried out at the Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt, during the 2016 and 2017 seasons to evaluate the productivity of thirty soybean genotypes collected from four countries in intercropping with corn. Intercropping two soybean ridges alternating with another two of corn (2:2) was used in a split plot distributed in randomized complete block design. Intercropping and solid systems were randomly assigned to the main plots, and the soybean genotypes were allocated in sub-plots. All over the genotypes, intercropping caused significant increases in maturity date, root length, and plant height; meanwhile, the reverse was true for each of total leaf chlorophyll content, numbers of branches and pods, as well as seed yield per plant. Soybean genotypes Giza 111, C1, Woodworth, C34, Hill, Hutcheson, and Holladay gave higher seed yield than the others. Allover cropping systems, soybean genotypes Giza 111, Woodworth, Hutcheson, and C1 had higher seed yield than the others under intercropping. A significant positive correlation was detected between pod number and seed yield under cropping systems. Early maturing genotypes under intercropping were correlated positively with a higher yield of plants, as well as relative values. Determinate soybean variety Woodworth was matured under intercropping and solid planting at the same time. Soybean genotypes Woodworth, C1, C34, Giza 35, Giza 82, and Giza 111 were tolerant than the others to intercropping. The six soybean genotypes offer useful genetic materials for soybean breeding programs to improve yield under intercropping.