Hole spacing in soybean hill drop sowing1

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the development, yield and its components of soybean sown in hill drop method with variation in hole spacing, compared to the conventional sowing method in lines. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with six treatments and four replications, using the variety M7739 RR IPRO with four plans per hole. The treatments consisted of population variation from 50 to 150% of the recommended one, obtained by the holes spacing alteration and a control sowed in lines with the recommended population. The control was compared to the other treatments using the Dunnett test and the hole spacing effect was evaluated by regression. The cultivar 7739 RR IPRO responds to hill drop sowing, obtaining even in lower populations, yields similar to the conventional sowing in lines. The highest yields in the hill drop sowing method are obtained in the higher populations, with a linear decrease in yield with an increase in hole spacing. Increasing hole spacing increases the number of pods and branches and reduces leaf cover, light interceptcion, plant height and first pod height.