Early Vegetative Cutting Combined with Seed-Applied Biostimulant Enhances Yield and Regrowth of Dual-Purpose Soybean Under Semi-Arid Conditions
摘要
Improving soybean productivity under semi-arid conditions requires management strategies that enhance both crop resilience and yield stability. This study evaluated the effects of early cutting and seed-applied Stimulate® on the performance of dual-purpose soybean under semi-arid conditions. Early cutting combined with plant growth regulation increased pod formation, crop growth rate, harvest index, and grain yield, with gains of up to 15% compared to untreated plants. Cutting performed at the vegetative stage maintained grain yield and promoted vigorous regrowth, while later cutting reduced recovery capacity and productivity. The combined management strategy improved plant performance and contributed to greater production stability. These findings demonstrate that integrating early cutting with seed-applied biostimulants represents a practical and sustainable approach for improving dual-purpose soybean systems in semi-arid environments.