Evaluation of Selected Early-Maturing Chinese Soybean (Glycine max L.) Varieties under the Conditions of Northern Kazakhstan

Abstract

The successful cultivation of soybean in Northern Kazakhstan requires early-maturing varieties capable of completing their growth cycle under the region's relatively short growing season. This study aimed to evaluate selected early-maturing soybean varieties of Chinese origin under the environmental conditions of Northern Kazakhstan and to identify promising genotypes for further cultivation and breeding. Field experiments were conducted during the 2023–2025 growing seasons at the experimental fields of the A.I. Barayev Research and Production Centre for Grain Farming. Six Chinese soybean varieties (Beidou 14, Beidou 36, Beidou 41, Beidou 53, Heihe 35 and Heike 59) were evaluated in comparison with the standard variety Ivushka. Agronomic traits, including plant height, grain yield and vegetation period, were assessed. Considerable variation among the studied varieties was observed. Beidou 14 and Heike 59 were characterized by vigorous plant growth. Higher grain productivity was recorded for Beidou 14 and Heike 59 under favorable environmental conditions. The obtained results indicate that several Chinese soybean varieties possess valuable agronomic characteristics and can be recommended as promising genetic resources for soybean breeding and cultivation in Northern Kazakhstan