Efficacy evaluation of novel actives Carrabiitol on growth and yield of soybean in different agro-ecological zones

Abstract

As soybean (Glycine max L.) demand continues to rise amid growing climate uncertainty, enhancing the crop's resilience to water scarcity and flooding has become vital for sustainable production. The present study investigated impact of foliar applications of Carrabiitol, a patented oligosaccharide polyol, on soybean growth and yield across the diverse agro-ecological zones of Himachal Pradesh, India. The study encompassed three ecological zones: Zone I (Akrot), a sub-montane low-hill subtropical zone; Zone II (Palampur), a mid-hill sub humid zone and Zone III (Awarna), high-hill temperate wet zone. Treatments consisted of four Carrabiitol application rates: T1 (50 g ha⁻¹), T2 (75 g ha⁻¹), T3 (125 g ha⁻¹), and T4, the control (0 g ha⁻¹). Soybean growth and yield responses were evaluated based on plant height, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, seed weight, seed yield, straw yield, and harvest index. Notably, soybean response to the application of 75 and 125 g Carrabiitol ha⁻¹ outperformed the untreated control treatment in all climate zones. The soybean response to Carrabiitol was in the sub-montane low-hill subtropical zone (Zone II), and the most effective treatment was Carrabiitol at 125 g ha⁻¹. In Zone I, where temperatures were higher and rainfall was lower compared to Zone II, this treatment increased soybean seed yield by 54.3%. These findings suggest that Carrabiitol can help mitigate the adverse impact of unfavorable climatic conditions.