In a statement, PAEC spokesperson Shahid Riaz Khan said we have developed soybean lines that can be grown both in spring and autumn. On this great achievement, Chairman PAEC Muhammad Naeem has congratulated the agricultural scientists, technologists, and technicians of PAEC for this commendable work in the agri-sector, he said, adding in a recent visit to the experimental fields at the National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering and Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology of PAEC at Faisalabad, the Chairman of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan and Chief Executive Punjab Agricultural Research Board Dr Abid Mahmood appreciated the successful development of these soybean lines after witnessing the NIBGE and NIAB soybean field trials. Currently, only 2-5 soybean cultivars are available in the country for general cultivation, which produces economical yield only under short-day conditions.
The PAEC Spokesperson, Shahid Riaz Khan, said that PAEC scientists have successfully identified, high-yielding soybean lines suitable for autumn cultivation in different agroecological regions of Pakistan, high-yielding soybean lines suitable for spring cultivation in different agroecological regions of Pakistan. These varieties are highly virus-resistant soybean genotypes against multiple viruses. Pakistan has been growing high delta crops such as rice, sugarcane, and maize. The water level is fast decreasing and, therefore, a low delta crop such as soybean is very much required to reverse the trend.
As soybean is a legume crop, therefore, its cultivation will enhance soil fertility by its natural nitrogen fixation characteristics and addition of organic matter, which will be very helpful for follow-up crop. Soybean is a source of quality vegetable oil, proteins, essential amino acids, and essential fatty acids.
Original Link: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/845789-paec-develops-soybean-lines-for-spring-autumn-cultivation