Productivity and feasibility of implementing recommended soybean cultivation with large seed size in paddy-field.

Improvement in cultivation techniques and the use of improved varieties are efforts to increase national soybean production. The study aimed to evaluate the implementation of recommended soybean cultivation in paddy fields and the introduction of large-seeded soybean varieties on productivity and financial feasibility. The study was conducted in the second dry season of 2021 in Bangsalsari Sub-district, Jember Regency, East Java Province following the annual cropping pattern of paddy-paddy-soybean and covering an area of 17.5 ha. The modified "Budesa" technology with large-seeded soybeans released by the IAARD, namely Dega 1, Derap 1, Denasa 1, and Detap 1 was compared to the existing cultivation with the improved variety of Anjasmoro which was widely used by farmers. Parameters observed were productivity and yield components of soybeans and socio-economic aspects (input costs, feasibility of recommended technology using MBCR analysis, and farmers' responses to the technology). The results showed Detap 1 produced the highest number of seeds per plant. However, Dega 1 produced the highest seed weight per plant and yield (18.25 g and 3.51 t/ha, respectively). In general, the productivity of large-seeded soybeans was higher than that of Anjasmoro. The recommended cultivation for all large-seeded soybeans was feasible to be further developed because the MBCR values were more than one reflecting that they were more profitable than the existing ones. Dega 1 was favored by farmers in terms of its physical seed appearance and its early maturity. Farmers are interested in continuing the adoption of large-seeded soybeans for the next soybean planting season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]