DefinePK

Abstract

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an important food and oilseed crop, providing protein and oil for human and animal consumption. Despite its nutritional value and economic importance, soybean production in Pakistan remains low due to various factors, including inefficient nutrient management. This study investigated the effects of Uni-bioactive Sulfur, Uni-bioactive Silica, and a cocktail micronutrient mixture on soybean growth and yield under the climatic conditions of Faisalabad, Pakistan. The experiment was conducted using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six treatments and three replications. The treatments included a control plot (T0), Uni-bioactive Sulfur drenching (T1), Uni-bioactive Silica mixture drenching (T2), cocktail micronutrient mixture application (T3), a combination of Uni-bioactive Sulfur and Silica drenching (T4), and a combination of all three treatments (T5). Various growth and yield parameters were recorded, including plant population, days to flowering, number of leaves and branches per plant, stem diameter, plant height, number of pods per plant, pod length, 100-grain weight, biological yield, grain yield, and harvest index. The results showed that the combined application of Uni-bio active Sulfur, Uni-bioactive Silica, and the micronutrient cocktail (T5) significantly improved most of the growth and yield parameters compared to control and individual treatments. T5 exhibited the shortest time to flower initiation and completion, the highest number of leaves and branches per plant, the tallest plants, the maximum number of pods per plant, the greatest pod length, the highest 100-grain weight, and the highest biological and grain yields. The study highlights the importance of balanced nutrient management in enhancing soybean productivity and suggests that the combined application of sulfur, silica, and micronutrients can be an effective strategy for improving soybean growth and yield in Pakistan.