EFFECT OF STAND DENSITY ON THE GROWTH RESPONSE OF SOME SELECTED SOYBEAN (Glycine max L.) VARIETIES IN SUDAN SAVANNA ZONE OF NIGERIA

A field experiment was conducted during the 2024 wet season at Abdullahi Fodiyo University
of Science and Technology Aliero, Nigeria, to assess the effect of plant density on growth of
soybean varieties. The treatment consisted of a Factorial combination of four improved soybean
varieties (TGX 2020-4E, TGX 1904-6F, TGX 1951-3F and TGX 1989-19F), with four plant
density. The experiments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three
replications. The results showed significant differences among plant density on canopy height
at 8 and 12 WAS, were 4 plant produced tallest plants, among the varieties, TGX 1904 recorded
the highest plants at 4 and 8 WAS but at 12 WAS TGX 1989 recorded the tallest plants. The
result also showed no significant differences among plant density and variety at all growing
stage except at 12 WERE was one plant produced the highest number of leaves and TGX 1951
among the varieties. The result indicated significant differences on canopy spread at 8 and 12
WAS and number of branches per plant at harvest were one plant produced widest canopy spread
while one and two plant stand provided more branches. Therefore it can be concluded that 2-3
plants conjunction with TGX 1904 and TGX 1989 varieties is recommended for growth
improvement of the soybean crop in Sudan Savanna agro ecological zone of Nigeria.