Effect of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium levels on growth contributing characters of soybean (Glycine max L.)

Soybean (Glycine max L.), a vital source of protein, is grown potentially on large scale in India. Despite of its wider uses and adaptability, unbalanced fertilization often leads to low productivity in soybean. To address this issue, present investigation has been carried out to study influence of different levels of NPK on growth characteristics of soybean. The field experiment was carried out at STCR field, Department of Soil Science, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri, Maharashtra (India) during kharif season of 2023-24 and 2024-25. The experiment was laid in randomized block design with twelve treatments, replicated thrice. Application of 50:75:45 N:P₂O₅:K₂O kg ha^-1 + 10 t ha^-1 FYM (T₁₂) recorded significantly highest plant height, plant spread, number of functional (trifoliate) leaves plant^-1 and number of branches plant^-1 at 30, 45, 60 and 90 DAS, for both years. Across the growth stages, plant height and plant spread recorded maximum increase from 30 to 60 DAS than that from 60 to 90 DAS, which showed slight increase in plant height and plant spread. Number of branches plant^-1 and number of functional leaves plant^-1 of soybean increased progressively from 30 to 60 DAS and decreased from 60 to 90 DAS. Combined application of N, P₂O₅ and K₂O was found better in improving growth of soybean.