1. Soybean Productivity Increase Prospects
Dr. V. S. Bhatia
Director
ICAR- Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore

2. Soybean-Global Scenario
Globally Soybean continue to rank first amongst oilseed crops.
Contributes to nearly 27% of the world vegetable oil production.
Supplies two thirds of protein concentrate for live stock feeding
Five major producers, USA, Brazil, Argentina, China and India account for 90% of world production.

3. World soybean area, production
and productivity
Source: FAOSTAT 2017/AMIS-FAO

4. Major soybean producing countries
Average for to period
Area
Production
Source: FAOSTAT 2017/AMIS-FAO

5. National Scenario Soybean is the leading oilseed crop of India.
Contributes to 39% of total oilseeds, 29% of edible oil from primary sources and 18% of total edible oil produced in the country.
DOC Export: There has been substantial export of DOC (Rs. 14,156 Crores in ) but it has come down to Rs Crores in ), improved to Rs Crores in
Mainly grown as rainfed crop during rainy season in Vertisols and associated soils.
Most resilient crop for monsoon
Providing subsistence to small and marginal farmers under erratic monsoon conditions
Improved the socio-economic status of the small and marginal farmers in central India
As a cheapest source of high quality protein, has a potential to remove protein malnutrition

6. Soybean –A success story
TIFAC Workshop at Jodhpur

7. Soybean: A success story in rainfed agriculture
Concentration of soybean area in India

8. Soybean: Area Production and yield
Source: Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Govt. of India
TIFAC Workshop at Jodhpur

9. Yield Potential and Yield Gap in Soybean
Yield potential (as per Simulation study):
Average water non-limiting potential: 3.0 t/ha
Average water limiting potential: 2.2 t/ha
Many farmers are taking 2.5 t/ha
FLD average yield with full package: 1.8 t/ha
Yield Gap:
National average: 1.1 t/ha
Average yield gap: 0.7 t/ha
Av to
Global=2.6 t/ha
USA= 3.1 t/ha
Brazil=2.9 t/ha
Argentina= 2.9 t/ha
China=1.8 t/ha
India=1.1 t/ha
Short duration of the crop days
Small holding 1.5 ha
At least two crops/year
Per day productivity/system productivity

10. Targets for soybean production
Approach
Targets
Improving productivity t/ha
Production (mt)
2020
2025
Productivity enhancement
1.40
1.60
15.40
17.6
Increasing area of cultivation
(Above million ha)
0.65
m ha
1.1
0.90
1.7
Total soybean production
16.25
19.3
Submitted to ICAR/Niti Ayog

11. Crop expansion in newer niches
Intercropping :
Rice fellow:
Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, NE,
Non traditional areas:
Punjab, Gujarat, Telangana, Jharkhand, NEH
Sugarcane, black gram, green gram, pigeonpea and hybrid cotton
Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Gujarat

12. Production Problems The majority of the crop is rainfed (98%)
Low adoption of improved crop production technology
Mono-varietal culture
Continuous mono-cropping
Lack of irrigation at critical stages in case of drought
Increasing insect-pest infestation
Poor soil fertility and imbalanced nutrient application

13. Yield Improvement: Policy Issues and Strategies
Poor availability of quality inputs at affordable prices
There are no market facilities in non-traditional areas
High variation in market prices and low price realization to farmers

14. Enhancing the soybean production- Varietal
Varietal diversification: more than 110 varieties released
Characters
Prominent varieties
High yield potential
JS 20-29, NRC 86, KDS 344, MACS 1188, JS 97-52, NRC 37, JS 93-05,
Early Maturity and drought escaping
JS 20-34, JS 95-60, JS 93-05,
Multiple disease resistance
NRC 86, MACS 1188, PS 1368, PS 1225, VLS 63, Pusa 9814, PS 1347
Resistance to YMV
JS 20-29, JS 20-69, PS 1368, SL 744, JS 97-52, SL 688, Pusa 9814, SL 525, PS 1347
Tolerance to insect pests
DSb 1, RKS 24, MACS 1188, TAMS 97-21, Pratap Soya 1 and 2,

15. Enhancing the soybean production-crop production
Optimum plating time (15th June to 5th July)
Optimum seed rate (60-70 kg/ha)
Optimum soil moisture (at least 100 to 120 mm rains)
Optimum sowing depth (2-3 cm)
Seed treatment
Thiram + Carbendazim 3g/kg seed OR
Trichoderma viride (8-10g/kg seed)
In areas where yellow mosaic virus is infecting soybean
Thiamethoxam
seed inculcation
Bradrhizobium japonicum / PSB

16. Enhancing the soybean production-crop production
Improving the organic carbon (<0.4%)
Balanced use of nutrients (NPKS)
Zn, Fe and other micronutrients are fast depleting
Application of nutrients as per soil test values
Optimum nutrition
Apply 5-10 t /ha FYM or Compost
25:60-80:40:20 Kg NPKS as basal
Proper placement of fertilizer-seed cum fertilizer drill
We are developing Decision Support System for working out site specific nutrient requirement for soybean in collaboration with IPNI

17. Enhancing the soybean production-crop production
Efficient In-situ rainwater management strategies for high yields under rainfed conditions have been standardized:
Planting of soybean on Broad-bed furrows (BBF) and Ridge-Furrow system results in 20% yield enhancement as compared to traditional flat bed planting
BBF seed drill which can simultaneously create broad beds and plant the soybean has been developed
Provides effective drainage under high rainfall
Soybean planted on ridge-furrow system
Soybean planted on BBF system
Sowing of soybean with BBF Seed Drill

18. Enhancing the soybean production-crop production
Soybean fits well in any of the traditional cropping system
Irrigated conditions:
(i) Soybean- wheat
(ii) Soybean-potato/Garlic/Onion-wheat
Unirrigated/Limited irrigation:
Soybean-Chickpea
Intercropping provides better LER (1.3 to 1.7), profit and risk aversion due to climatic uncertainties
Soybean based intercropping:
Soybean + Pigeonpea, Soybean+sorghum (unirrigated),
Soybean + Maize/Cotton/ Sugarcane etc. (Irrigated)
Intercrop seed drill for planting of soybean with intercrops has been developed, demonstrated and validated
Soybean+ Maize Intercropping
Intercrop seed drill

19. Enhancing the soybean production-crop production
Substantial yield losses due to weeds
From sowing to flowering period is the most critical period for competition
Effective weed management practices are recommended which can substantially reduce the yield losses due to weeds.
The effective weed management techniques include:
Physical weed management
Cultural weed management, and
Chemical weed management

20. Enhancing the soybean production-crop protection
Insects like Stem fly, Girdle beetle, tobacco caterpillar (Spodoptera litura) and Bihar hairy caterpillar are causing substantial yield losses.
Diseases like Yellow mosaic, Charcoal rot, Anthracnose, Pod Blight, Collar rot, Rust etc. too are affecting the productivity potential of the soybean crop
For them regular scouting is required so that immediate action can be taken
Integrated insects and disease management which include use of variety, bio-control and chemicals has been recommended

21. Enhancing the soybean production- mechanisation
Soybean is a short season crop
It provides a limited window for most of the agronomic practices that include planting time, management of weeds, control of insects and pests and harvesting
The mechanization of agricultural operations can help in timely interventions and operations for harnessing potential productivity of the crop
Subsoiler
Seed cum fertilizer drills
BBF/FIRBS seed drill
Sweep seed drill
Ridge fertilizer drill cum seed planter
Intercrop seed drill

22. Focus on research activities
To develop photo-thermal insensitive varieties with higher yield and wider adaptability across planting time and location
To develop varieties and improved production technologies for drought
Management of existing and new pest occurring in soybean
To develop specialty soybean
High oleic acid
Null KTI
Null lipoxygenase
High oil content
Vegetable type

23. Thank you very much