Correction - Effect of irrigation termination on yield of soybeans in southern New South Wales

Abstract

The seasonal water demand and the influence of the time of final irrigation on seed yield of soybeans was determined under furrow irrigation. The three times of final irrigation were ten days after the end of flowering; when the top pods contained full size beans; and when 95 per cent of the pods had turned brown (P95). Measurements of plant height, percent ground cover and leaf relative water content indicated that the irrigation schedule imposed did not limit crop growth. Crop water use was 730 mm or 76 per cent of pan evaporation. Highly significant increases in seed yield due mainly to increased seed weight were obtained by extending the irrigation period. Applying water after the top pods contained full size beans increased yield by 538 kg ha-1 or 16.1 per cent. There was little effect on oil and protein content. The number of days from emergence to P95 was increased from 108 to 11 9 by later irrigations. The irrigation schedule should keep water readily available until physiological maturity of the crop; for cv. Clark 63 this is only three days prior to P95.