Soybean is an important oilseed and protein-rich legume crop. It is primarily grown during Kharif season.
Soybean
Glycine max
Pulse & Oilseed
Overview
Common Pests
Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera)
Symptoms:
Round entry holes in pods; caterpillars feeding on developing seeds inside pods.
Stem Fly (Melanagromyza sojae)
Symptoms:
Wilting and yellowing of apical shoot; maggots mining inside the stem base.
Common Diseases
Soybean Rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi)
Symptoms:
Small tan to reddish-brown angular lesions on leaves; premature defoliation; significant yield loss.
Treatment:
Apply organic sulfur-based fungicide; remove infected leaf debris from field.
Yellow Mosaic Virus (YMV)
Symptoms:
Yellow-green mosaic pattern on young leaves; stunted plants; drastically reduced pod set.
Treatment:
Remove infected plants immediately; manage whitefly population with traps.
Soil Requirements
Soybean thrives in well-drained, neutral to slightly acidic loamy soil. Waterlogging severely damages roots and inhibits nitrogen fixation. Inoculate seeds with rhizobium before sowing for optimal nitrogen fixation.