Soybean improvement through research in India and socio-economic changes

Abstract

Soybean research work in India which was intended towards yield improvement, biotic and abiotic stress management and food grade characteristics has resulted in 98 varieties notified with maximum yield potential of 4 t/ha which is an increase from 2.5 t/ha during the 1970s, resistant/tolerant to insects, pests and moisture stress as well as with higher nutritional characteristics. The yield index (yield of 1970-71=100) for soybean has increased to 318 since its introduction for commercial cultivation. The technology achievement index has increased from 100 in 1980-81 to 156.3 in 1999-2000 and 182 in 2010- 11. The per hectare value of all crops output (at constant 2001-04 prices) increased 250 to 600 per cent in TE 2011-12 over TE 1971-72 in the districts with higher proportion of gross cropped area under soybean and also the per hectare value of output was higher in major soybean growing districts than the other districts with a few exceptions. Though, at present about 45 varieties exist in the seed-chain, however, only four varieties dominate the seed chain and account for about 95 per cent of the total soybean seed requirement in the country and 98 per cent of the seed availability. To bridge the continual increase in demand for edible oil and nutritional requirements, genetic improvement in soybean for attenuating major issues is required.