THE ADAPTABILITY OF SOYBEAN HIGH YIELD VARIETIES AND FARMER PREFERENCES IN DRY LAND AREA Muchamad Yusron, Sigid Handoko and Siti Sehat Tan
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency
Abstract
Soybean development is currently directed to dry land areas. To support this program, IAARD has released some new varieties with potential yield above 3 tons/ha. The aim of this study was to know the adaptability of new varieties of soybean and farmers preference in dry land areas. This field experiment was conducted in Grobogan Regency, using factorial randomized block design with two factors. The first factor was fertilizer dosage combined with bio fertilizer and the second was five soybean varieties. Farmer preference test was done by interviewing the respondents. Measurements of the farmer attitudes, opinions, and perceptions was done using Likert scale. The results showed that Grobogan variety was more adapted to the dry land conditions of Grobogan Regency. The application of fertilizers combined with biofertilizers increased the growth and production of soybeans. The highest plant (52.42 cm) and the highest soybean yield (2.165 t/ha) were obtained in the farmer^s dosage treatment combined with biofertilizers. The order of farmers preference for the tested varieties was Grobogan, Biosoy, Devon, Dega and Detap. These preferences were mostly based on crop productivity, size of seeds, availability of seeds, and ease of selling the yield.
Keywords: Adaptability, soybean, farmers preference, dry land
