Characteristics and Possible Early Harvesting Time of Early Maturing Soybean Cultivars in Southern Korea

This study analyzed the growth, seed quality, and yield of major early-maturing soybean cultivars by comparing them in order to utilize the research results in the selection of early-maturing soybean cultivars in multi-cropping farms in the Southern area. This field trial was conducted at Naju region (latitude 35°04'N, longitude 126°54'E), Jeonnam, with planting on June 15. The maturing date for Keunol-kong and Hwaseong-put-kong was found to be around September 12, which was earlier than other cultivars. Thus, there were advantages to introducing a cropping system as well as having good seed quality and high yield. On the other hand, the maturing date for Saeol-kong and Sinrok-kong was found to be around September 20, which was a little bit late; however, the seed quality of the cultivars was good and they had a high yield. Therefore, if we want to sow the following crops of soybeans around mid-September, Keunol-kong and Hwaseong-put-kong are advantageous, while for the seeding around late September, Saeol-kong and Sinrok-kong would be good. This study was also performed to identify the limitation time for early harvesting by reviewing seed quality and yield of major early-maturing soybean cultivars according to early harvesting. When harvesting Keunol-kong on September 6, which was six days earlier than the optimal harvesting time (September 12), there was no difference in seed weight, yield, or seed quality than those of the harvested at the optimum maturing time. As for Saeol-kong, when harvesting on September 18, which was six days earlier than the optimal harvesting time (September 24), there was no difference in seed weight, yield, or seed quality than those of the harvested at the optimum maturing time. Therefore, the stable limitation time for early harvesting of Keunol-kong and Saeol-kong was concluded to be six days earlier than the optimal harvesting time.