Abstract

Flower and pod abortions in large quantities are commonly observed in soybean plants. In normal conditions of crop cultivation, flower abortion is commonly above 60%. Among the strategies that may promote great flower and pod set in soybean, there is the use of plant growth regulators and foliar applications of calcium. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of plant growth regulator and the calcium sprayed on the agronomic performance of soybean plants. Five doses of systemic bioregulator (cytokinin) and five doses of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) were applied in a 5 x 5 factorial arrangement with four replications field implemented in randomized block design. Soybean plant biometrics, the calcium content in different plant parts and crop yield were recorded. None of the treatments had a significant effect on the characteristics observed. The result was probably due to adequate conditions that prevailed during the soybean cropping cycle. In fact, flower and pod abortions happen when plants experience water stress during the flowering period. This lack of any treatment effect indicated the importance of regular and trustful monitoring of crop important variables to prevent routine applications of growth regulator and calcium.

Key words: Glycine max, cytokinin, calcium carbonate, plant biometrics, crop yield.