Antioxidant potential of sesame (Sesamum indicum) cake extract in stabilization of sunflower and soybean oils

Recently natural antioxidants have gained increased interest because natural food ingredients are safer than synthetic ones. Antioxidant activities and protective effects of sesame cake extract (SCE) in stabilizing sunflower oil (SFO) and soybean oil (SBO) were tested. Since different antioxidant compounds have different mechanisms of action, 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline sulfonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity, and β-carotene/linoleic acid test system were used to assess the antioxidant efficacy of SCE. Total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents in SCE were 1.94 (mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g⁻¹ dry weight (DW)), 0.88 (mg quercetain equivalent (QE) g⁻¹ DW), and 0.40 (mg QE g⁻¹ DW), respectively. Protective effects of SCE in stabilizing SFO and SBO were tested, compared to synthetic antioxidants, by measuring their peroxide values (PV), conjugated dienes (CD), conjugated trienes (CT) and p-anisidine value during accelerated storage. Results indicated that SCE exhibited stronger antioxidant activity in SFO and SBO than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), while its antioxidant activity was less than that of tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ).     

Effect of irrigation schedule on growth and seed yield of camelina (Camelina sativa L.) in Tarai region of central Himalaya

Camelina(Camelina sativa)has emerged as a potential biofuel crop globally with its suitability even as a jet fuel source with 75–80%less greenhouse gas emissions compared to common petroleum fuels.The crop has originated from Mediterranean region and belongs to Brassicaceae family.DIBER,DRDO has made initial and pioneer efforts in successful introduction of this crop to India and its agro-technology standardization.Being a short duration crop with lesser input requirement,it fits well in the cropping pattern of hilly states of Indian Himalaya.These areas experience fallow land due to shortage of irrigation water for growing other crops.The present study revealed that irrigation at flowering stage is more beneficial.Irrigation at this stage(if only one irrigation is available)exhibited grain yield of 1.004 kg·m^-2which was 21 and 80%higher over pod setting and rosette stage irrigation,respectively.The maximum seed yield was observed under treatment where irrigation was provided at all three crop growth stages(2.044 kg·m^-2).It was 50%higher over T6 treatment(where two irrigations were given at rosette and flowering stage)and 104%higher over T3(where only one irrigation was given at flowering stage).     

Manipulation of sowing dates for the control of bacterial blight of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) induced by Xanthomonas campestris pv. sesami (Sabet & Dowson) dye

The effect of manipulating sowing dates on the incidence and severity of bacterial blight of 10 sesame varieties was investigated at Samaru, Zaria, in pot and field trials conducted during the 1983 and 1984 wet seasons (June–September). Late (August) sowing reduced plant growth and yield without a significant effect on either the incidence or severity of the disease. The number of leaves shed was, however, significantly increased with late sowing while the interaction between sowing dates and varieties was also highly significant. Symptoms appeared earlier and secondary spread in the field was faster with early (June) sown crops.     

芝麻雄性不育突变体的诱变及初步遗传研究

用６０Ｃｏ—γ射线３００、５００和７００Ｇｙ处理芝麻良种豫芝４号干种子。从大约６万个Ｍ２植株中筛选出１０个雄性不育株。对该１０个雄性不育株Ｍ３、Ｍ４作进一步鉴定,获得了６个不育性状稳定、经济性状较好的雄性不育突变体。初步遗传研究表明,该６个雄性不育突变体为一对隐性基因控制的核型雄性不育突变体。     

Nitrogen use efficiency in selected rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes under different water regimes and nitrogen levels

Water and nutrient availability are two major constraints in most rice-based rainfed shallow lowland systems of Asia. Both stresses interact and contribute to the low productivity and widespread poverty in this environment. The objective of this study was to improve the understanding of interaction between the two factors and to identify varietal characteristics beneficial for productivity in a water- and nutrient-limited rice environment. For this purpose, we screened 19 rice genotypes adapted to different rice environments under two water and two nutrient treatments during the wet season of 2004 and 2005 in southern Luzon, Philippines. Across all genotypes tested and in comparison with the irrigated control, rainfed conditions reduced grain yield of the treatment without N application by 69% in 2004 and by 59% in 2005. The mean nitrogen fertilizer response was highest in the dryer season of 2004 and the rainfed treatment, indicating that water stress had no effect on fertilizer response. Nitrogen application reduced the relative yield loss to 49% of the irrigated treatment in 2004 and to 52% of the irrigated treatment in 2005. Internal efficiency of N (IEN) and recovery efficiency of applied N (REN) were significantly different between genotypes, but were not affected by water availability (REN) or by water and nutrient availability (IEN). In contrast, grain yield and total N uptake were affected by cultivar, N and water availability. Therefore, germplasm for rainfed environments should be screened under conditions of limited and good nitrogen and water supplies. The four best cultivars, CT6510-24-1-2, IR55423-01, IR72, and IR57514-PMI5-B-1-2, performed well across all treatments and both years. Except for IR72, they were all characterized by medium height, medium duration, high early vigor, and a moderate level of drought tolerance. This combination of characteristics seems to enable the optimal use of limited water and nutrient resources occurring in many shallow rainfed lowlands. We also concluded that moderate drought stress does not necessarily affect the response to moderate N rates, provided that drought does not induce high spikelet sterility and that fertilizer N is properly managed.     

Effects of partial root-zone drying on yield,tuber size and water use efficiency in potato under field conditions

Water resources are limited for irrigation worldwide; therefore, there is a need for water-saving irrigation practices to be explored. Partial root-zone drying (PRD) is a new water-saving irrigation strategy being tested in many crop species. Experiments were conducted in potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Folva) under open field conditions in 2004 and under a mobile rainout shelter in 2005. Two subsurface irrigation treatments were studied: full irrigation (FI) receiving 100% of evaporative demands, 50.1 and 201 mm of irrigation water in the 2 years, to keep it close to field capacity; and PRD, which received 21.7 and 140 mm of irrigation in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Due to rain in 2004, the PRD treatment was imposed over a short period only during the late tuber filling and maturing stages. In 2005, the PRD treatment was imposed during the whole period of tuber filling and tuber maturation. The PRD treatment was shifted from one side to the other side of potato plants every 5–10 days. Especially in 2005 it was apparent that stomatal conductance was generally lower in the PRD than in the FI plants, whereas leaf water potential tended to be lower in only a few instances. During the treatment period, plants were harvested five times, and no significant difference was found between the treatments in leaf area index, top dry mass and tuber yield. At final harvest, tubers were graded based on size into four classes C₁–C₄, of which the yield of the important marketable class (C₂) was significantly higher (20%) in the PRD than in the FI treatment. Compared with FI, the PRD treatment saved 30% of irrigation water while maintaining tuber yield, leading to a 61% increase of irrigation water use efficiency. The limited data of 2004 support these results. In summary, PRD is a promising water-saving irrigation strategy for potato production in areas with limited water resources.     

Water use and yield of wheat/maize intercropping under alternate irrigation in the oasis field of northwest China

A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of alternate irrigation (AI) on the yield, water use and water use efficiency (WUE) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)/maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping system in an oasis region of northwest China in 2006-2008. Three planting patterns, i.e., sole wheat, sole maize and wheat/maize intercropping. Three irrigation levels were applied for each treatment during 3 years. Results showed that land use efficiency of wheat and maize was significantly enhanced by intercropping system; land equivalent ratio (LER) of wheat/maize intercropping system in different treatments was all greater than 1.0. Moreover, significant difference in grain yield was observed between intercropping treatment and sole cropping treatment, in which the yield of intercropped wheat was 55.37-74.88% of sole wheat, and intercropped maize was 66.63-78.87% of sole maize. Wheat/maize intercropping treatments increased water use by 1.8-16.4% than half of the total water use of sole-cropping wheat and maize. Compared to sole cropping wheat treatments, wheat/maize intercropping with alternate irrigation significantly improved water use efficiency (WUE) by 30.5-57.7%, 55.5-71.4% and 12.0-19.8%, and increased by 32.7-37.8%, 9.5-15.8% and 4.0-20.8% than sole cropping maize treatments in 2006-2008, respectively. Our results suggest that AI should be a useful water-saving irrigation method on wheat/maize intercropping in arid oasis field where intercropping planting is decreased because of limited water resource.     

Weed control and sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) response to preplant incorporated herbicides and method of incorporation

Field studies were conducted at two sesame-growing regions of Texas in 2004 and 2005 to determine weed control and sesame response to four dinitroaniline herbicides and their method of incorporation. Ethalfluralin, pendimethalin (formulated as Prowl EC), and trifluralin were applied at the X, 1X, and 2X of the suggested label dose for Gossypium hirsutum L. Pendimethalin (formulated as Prowl H₂O) was applied at the X, 1X, and 1X rate. Two methods of incorporation included rolling cultivator mixing wheels and spring tooth harrow. With rolling cultivator mixing wheels, all herbicides controlled Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J.D. Sauer at least 74% regardless of dose. The X dose of ethalfluralin and pendimethalin (formulated as Prowl EC), or the X and 1X dose of pendimethalin (formulated as Prowl H₂O) controlled Brachiaria platyphylla (Griseb.) Nash no better than 73% while all other doses of the herbicides controlled B. platyphylla at least 80%. The use of mixing wheels to incorporate the herbicides resulted in better sesame stands and less stunting than the use of the spring tooth harrow; however, sesame stands were reduced as herbicide rate increased when using mixing wheels. Ethalfluralin at the 1X dose, pendimethalin (formulated as Prowl H₂O) at the X dose, and trifluralin at the X dose produced the highest sesame yield while ethalfluralin at the 2X dose produced the lowest yield.     

芝麻不同时期去叶对蒴果发育和产量的影响及保叶增产措施

采用定株观察，以芝麻生长正常单株为对照，研究不同生育时期，不同蒴果发育时期去叶，对芝麻农艺性状和单株产量的影响。结果表明，随着芝麻生育进程，终花期，封顶期，盛花期去叶减产值幅度递增。相同植株同天开花采取不同时期去叶所结蒴果分别与对照相比，去叶时间越早秕籽率越高，千粒重越低。同时还进一步研究出延长芝麻中上部叶片功能期，提高单株产量的技术措施。     

Effect of SWD irrigation on photosynthesis and grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A study was conducted with the objective to determine the influence of (shallow water depth with wetting and drying) SWD on leaf photosynthesis of rice plants under field conditions. Experiments using SWD and traditional irrigations (TRI) were carried out at three transplanting densities, namely D1 (7.5 plants/m²), D2 (13.5 plants/m²) and D3 (19.5 plants/m²) with or without the addition of organic manure (0 and 15 t/ha). A significant increase in leaf net photosynthetic rate by SWD was observed with portable photosynthesis systems in two independent experiments. At both flowering and 20 DAF stages, photosynthetic rate was increased by 14.8% and 33.2% with D2 compared to control. SWD significantly increased specific leaf weight by 17.0% and 11.8% over the control at flowering and 20 DAF stages, respectively. LAI of D2 under SWD was significantly increased by 57.4% at 20 DAF. In addition, SWD with D2 significantly increased the leaf dry weight (DW) at both growing stages. At all the three densities, SWD increased the leaf N content and the increase was 18.9% at D2 density compared with the conventional control. In SWD irrigation, the leaf net photosynthetic rate was positively correlated with the leaf N content (R² = 0.9413), and the stomatal conductance was also positively correlated with leaf N content (R² = 0.7359). SWD enhanced sink size by increasing both panicle number and spikelet number per panicle. The increase in spikelet number per panicle was more pronounced in the 15 t ha⁻¹ manure treatment than in the zero-manure treatment. Grain yield was also significantly increased by SWD, with an average increase of 10% across all treatments. SWD with D2 had the highest grain yield under the both cultivars with or without 15 t ha⁻¹ manure treatment, which was 14.7% or 13.9% increase for Liangyoupeijiu and 11.3% or 11.2% for Zhongyou 6 over the control, respectively.     

芝麻雄性核不育系氨基酸含量变化初探

在芝麻盛花中期,比较分析芝麻雄性核不育系中不育株与可育株不同发育时期的花蕾和叶片中各种氨基酸的含量差异.同可育株相比,不育株不同时期花蕾中天冬酰胺、脯氨酸、谷氨酸、赖氨酸、亮氨酸的差异较为明显,这些物质代谢的变化可能与芝麻雄性不育有关.不育株叶片中各种氨基酸略有不同,但总量差异不太明显.     

The effect of ecological conditions on yield and quality traits of selected peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) clones

The commercial production of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) depends on the genetic structure and ecological conditions affecting yield and oil composition. To determine yield and quality characters of two peppermint clones (Clone-3 and Clone-8), field experiments were carried out at four different locations (Ayd?n, Bursa, Izmir and Tokat) in Turkey during 2007 and 2008. Locations with warmer climate gave higher fresh herbage yield (Ayd?n and Izmir 37.0 t/ha and 36.8 t/ha, respectively). Although vigor canopy caused maximum fresh herbage yield, it decreased dried leaf yield due to the defoliation of leaves near to the ground. The main components menthol and menthone showed significant variation with different ecologies. Menthol contents were higher in temperate locations (Bursa and Tokat), while menthone contents were lower. The differences in oil composition of Clone-3 were lower than that of Clone-8 according to different climates, thus Clone-3 can be grown widely in various ecological conditions for oil productions as compared to the Clone-8. It was also concluded that temperate location was more suitable for peppermint oil production with high menthol contents.     

Variability of survival and yield traits in cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) clones under marginal field conditions in Ghana

Increasing the genetic base of current parental cacao varieties grown in West Africa with clones that are able to perform well under marginal conditions could improve cacao production. Survival and yield of 30 different cocoa clones of more recent introductions were compared with five parental clones of improved cocoa varieties under natural field conditions in Ghana. A randomized complete-block design with five replications was used to evaluate the 35 clones for the following traits: percentage survival, increase in trunk cross-sectional area (TCSA), canopy spread, bean mass and bean yield. Significant (p < 0.05) clone effects for all traits and broad-sense heritability range of 0.16–0.51 were observed. Bean mass and bean yield varied from 0.90 to 1.44 g and 149 to 467 kg/ha, respectively. Bean yield and TCSA was positively and moderately correlated (r = 0.46; p < 0.01). Clones A 1/197, ICS 70 and MO 20 outperformed the best control clone for both survival and yield, which could be used in cacao breeding to improve production under marginal conditions in Ghana.     

Gene effects for cotton-fiber traits in cotton plant (Gossypium hirsutum L.) under Verticillium conditions

Verticillium wilt (VW), caused by Verticillium dahliae Kleb., has become one of the most serious problems in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The use of resistant cultivars has long been considered the most practical and effective means of control. The objective of this work was to study the quantitative genetic basis of fiber traits under Verticillium conditions in upland cotton by using five genotypes and their possible crosses without reciprocals, selecting simultaneously for quality fiber, resistance, and agronomic characteristics. Five cotton cultivars and 10 F₁s from half diallel crosses were analyzed for quality fiber under VW conditions. The fiber length, uniformity, strength, elongation, and micronaire were measured during two crop seasons at two different sites each year, consistently in plots with soil naturally infested with Verticillium. Genetic components of variance were analyzed using the Hayman model. Analysis of variance for all traits showed significant differences between genotypes, with the genotype–site interaction in most of the studied traits except for fiber length and micronaire. Both the additive genetic variance component (D) and dominance genetic variance components (H1 and H2) were present in all traits. D was the most important component for uniformity, strength, elongation, and micronaire. Elongation was the trait most correlated with seed-cotton yield. Strength and micronaire were the traits most correlated with VWI. Broad-sense heritability was high for all the traits studied. Narrow-sense heritability was high for uniformity, strength and elongation, and moderate for length and micronaire.     

Yield potential and water use efficiency of aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Japan

Intensive rice farming in aerobic soil, referred to herein as aerobic rice, can greatly reduce the water input compared to that of flooded rice cultivation. The objective of this study was to compare the potential productivity of aerobic rice and flooded rice using high-yielding varieties at two locations in Japan in two successive years. In aerobic fields, the total amount of water supplied (irrigation plus rainfall) was 800–1300 mm. The soil water potential at 20-cm depth averaged between −15 and −30 kPa each growing season, but frequently reached −60 kPa. The average yield under aerobic conditions was similar to or even higher than that achieved with flooded conditions (7.9 t ha⁻¹ in 2007 and 9.4 t ha⁻¹ in 2008 for aerobic versus 8.2 t ha⁻¹ for flooded). The average water productivity under aerobic conditions was 0.8–1.0 kg grain m⁻³ water, slightly higher than common values in the literature. The super-high-yielding cultivar Takanari achieved yields greater than 10 t ha⁻¹ with no yield penalty under aerobic conditions in 3 out of 4 experiments. The favorable agronomic characteristic of Takanari was its ample sink capacity (grain number × grain weight). In conclusion, high-productivity rice cultivation in aerobic soil is a promising technology for water conservation. With continued breeding, future aerobic rice varieties will possess large numbers of spikelets and sufficient adaptation to aerobic conditions such that they will consistently achieve yields comparable to the potential yield of flooded rice.     

Growth,PAR use efficiency,and yield components of field-grown Vicia faba L. under different temperature and photoperiod regimes

N-fixing legume crops may be a good component of a general plan to improve cropping system efficiency. For this purpose, crop suitability to specific environments must be established. To estimate the yield potential we examined the growth and yield response of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crops to different thermal and photoperiod regimes. Irrigated field experiments were conducted in northwest Spain for 3 years (2004–2007) with cv. ‘Alameda’ sown on five different dates in each year from mid-autumn to mid-spring. Environmental conditions experienced by plants across sowing dates were largely different. Sowing date had a great influence on biomass, grain yield and its components. This effect was associated with changes in PAR captured, PAR use efficiency (PUE) and biomass allocation to the different organs. Critical leaf area index (LAI_cr) tended to increase and the extinction coefficient, k, to decrease as the sowing date was delayed. Earlier sowing dates intercepted more radiation over the whole season than the spring sowing dates. Greatest crop growth treatments (2nd and 3rd sowing dates) had the highest values of PAR use efficiency probably due to more adequate temperatures for photosynthesis and a large number of reproductive sinks. The highest grain yield (7733 kg ha⁻¹) was obtained with the mid-February sowing date, which produced the most pods and seeds per m², the largest harvest index (62.0%), and large maximum leaf area index (5.41). Low yields of mid-autumn (1st) and mid-spring (5th) sowing dates were associated with reduced pods and seeds per m². Temperature and photoperiod had a large impact on faba bean growth, development, and yield. Best yields were obtained when abundant assimilate supply and moderate temperatures were available during pod set.     

不同供镁浓度对芝麻生长及养分累积的影响

 为促进芝麻高产营养与栽培,探讨不同镁浓度对芝麻生长和养分累积的影响。以品种中芝13为材料,设置5个供镁浓度处理（0、50、100、500和1 000μmol/L）,30d后测定不同处理芝麻生物量、根系形态参数、氮磷钾含量等指标。结果显示：不同供镁浓度对芝麻生长有着不同程度的影响,镁在100μmol/L及以下时,芝麻出现缺素症状,表现为植株矮小、老叶失绿黄化,根系生长受阻。芝麻植株生物量随着供镁浓度增加而增加,根系生长对镁浓度的变化尤为敏感,缺镁抑制根系生长。与1 000μmol/L相比,3个缺镁浓度（0、50和100μmol/L）处理下根系干重分别减少97.83%、93.88%和86.65%,且侧根长、侧根数、根表面积、根体积以及根平均直径显著降低。同时,随着镁浓度增加,芝麻叶片和根系中氮、磷、钾累积量显著上升,说明适宜供镁有利于芝麻生长和养分累积。此外,与供镁浓度500μmol/L相比,1 000μmol/L处理下的芝麻植株,叶片与根系中钙的积累量均显著降低,暗示芝麻在钙和镁吸收方面可能存在拮抗关系     

Effect of irrigation frequency and planting density on herbage biomass and oil production of thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

An experiment was undertaken to determine the herbage biomass and oil production of thyme (Thymus vulgaris Linn.) and hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis Linn.) in 2003 and 2004 in the semi-arid region of Khorasan in Iran. The experiment was a split plot with three irrigation intervals as main plots and three planting densities as subplots, all of which replicated three times. Irrigation intervals consisted of 7, 14, and 21 days for both crops and planting densities of 6.6, 8, and 10 (plants m⁻²) for thyme and 5, 6.6, and 8 (plants m⁻²) for hyssop. Different planting densities were employed by changing planting distances on cultivation rows. Herbage biomass and oil production of shoots, harvested at flowering were measured as annual production of each crop. Irrigation intervals did not change total harvested herbage biomass and oil production of both crops. Averaged across both years of the experiment, thyme produced higher oil than hyssop. Both crops produced higher biomass and oil in the second year of the experiment compared to the first year. While thyme plants biomass and oil production were lower at the highest planting density, hyssop plants showed no response to planting density. Herbage biomass and oil production of hyssop did not show a clear trend in response to interaction of irrigation intervals and planting densities in both years of the experiment. Our results showed that there is a high potential for saving water through longer irrigation intervals (e.g. 14 days) using locally adapted plants in the semi-arid conditions of Khorasan. These crops serve as alternative sources of income in dry years.     

Seasonal conditions influence dormancy and preharvest sprouting tolerance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the field

Preharvest sprouting occurs following rainfall after maturity and reduces grain quality and value. Dormancy at maturity is a trait frequently used by wheat breeders to improve tolerance to sprouting. To determine the environmental influence on the predicative relationship between dormancy at maturity and improved preharvest sprouting tolerance, dormancy (germination index) at maturity and grain quality (falling number) at maturity and then, after rainfall, was measured over three seasons. Based on the results it was possible to draw three main conclusions. Firstly, genotypes with strong dormancy (germination index <0.20) which have the embryo and seed coat component of dormancy maintained a falling number >300 s at all sites and seasons for the 2-month period after maturity despite receiving up to 122 mm of rain. Adequate preharvest sprouting tolerance also occurred in dormant genotypes, with just the embryo component; in all but the most severe conditions. Secondly, though the effect of environment and interaction of genotype and environment was significant, the G by E interaction did not account for a large proportion of the variation (<6%) in sprouting tolerance (measured by falling number after rainfall) or change the relative rankings of preharvest sprouting tolerance. Finally, other defects associated with rainfall during grain filling such as black point and fungal staining may slightly reduce dormancy estimates and preharvest sprouting tolerance. For this reason grain defects need to be improved in parallel with preharvest sprouting tolerance. In conclusion, strong dormancy provides a reliable source of preharvest sprouting tolerance in the field.     

The effect of water stress in regulated deficit irrigation on soybean yield (Glycine max [L.] Merr.)

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of water stress in regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) on the yield of soybean growing on Ultisol soil. This research was conducted under plastic house on the experimental farm of Lampung Polytechnique from August to November 2004. The water stress treatments in regulated deficit irrigation were ET₁ (1.0 × ET_c), ET₂ (0.8 × ET_c), ET₃ (0.6 × ET_c), ET₄ (0.4 × ET_c) and ET₅ (0.2 × ET_c), arranged in a randomized block design with four replications. ET_c means crop evapotranspiration under standard condition, which was well watered. For example, the ET₂ (0.8 × ET_c) treatment means that the amount of supplied water per a day is the same as the crop adjustment evapotranspiration (ET_cadj) with the value 0.8 of water stress coefficient (K _s). The RDI treatments were carried out just at vegetative phase and its treatments were stopped at the beginning of flowering phase, and afterwards the treatments were watered at 1.0 × ET_c. The results showed that since week II, the soybean experienced stress throughout the growth period except ET₂ treatment. ET₂ treatment started to be stressed at week V and continued to be stressed until the harvest time. At the ET₃ treatment, the critical water content (θ_c) of soybean was reached at week II, and the θ_c was 0.24 m³/m³ on the average. The RDI at vegetative period significantly affected the yield. The highest yield was ET₁ (35.2 g/plant), followed by ET₂ (31.0 g/plant), ET₃ (18.1 g/plant), ET₄ (7.6 g/plant), and ET₅ (3.3 g/plant). The optimal water management of soybean with the highest yield efficiency was regulated deficit irrigation with water stress coefficient (K _s) of 0.80 for vegetative phase.