Main Article Content
Abstract (in English)
This study evaluates the effects of moisture conservation and nutrient management on soybean growth, yield, and economic returns. The objective is to identify the combined strategies that effectively enhance yield, improve seed quality, optimize water use efficiency (WUE), and increase farmers’ economic benefits. The findings indicate that the use of plastic and organic mulches significantly improves soybean yield, WUE, and net economic returns. Plastic mulch proved most effective, increasing yield to 2,950 kg/ha and WUE to 0.88 kg/m³. Combined application of farmyard manure (FYM) with chemical fertilizers (NPK) further enhanced yield, water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), and soil nitrogen retention. With this combined treatment (FYM + NPK), yield reached 3,150 kg/ha and WUE 0.89 kg/m³. These results demonstrate that mulch maintains soil moisture, promotes root development, and improves plant physiological activities, while balanced NPK and FYM application increases seed protein, oil content, and weight. Simultaneous water–nitrogen management ensures efficient resource use, and economic analyses indicate that integrated management significantly improves net returns and benefit-cost ratio (BCR), providing stable income for farmers. Overall, this study recommends the integrated application of moisture conservation and nutrient management as a practical and effective strategy for sustainable and high-yield soybean production.