Introduction to major field crops (1+1)

Sowing

Time of Sowing
Sowing of soybean soon after onset of monsoon rains is best as compared to its earlier or later sowings. There should be optimum moisture at the time of sowing. Sowing during June to July months seems to be the best.

Seed Rate
Seed rate depends upon size of the seed, test weight, spacing and method of sowing. Generally 60-70 kg seeds are required/ha. If sowing is delayed due to any reason, the seed rate must be increased by 25 per cent.




Fig: Soybean seeds.

Spacing
Crop is sown at row to row spacing of 45-60 cm in north and 30-45 cm in central and south India. At the time of thinning plant to plant spacing iskept at 5.0 cm.



Fig: Soybean crop field.