2017
Impact of Selected Establishment Factors on Soybean Production
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Dakota Soybean Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Field management Nutrient managementSoil healthTillageYield trials
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Greg Endres, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Michael Ostlie, North Dakota State University
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Dakota Soybean Council
$3,000
Institution Funded:
North Dakota State University, Carrington Research Extension Center
$3,000
Brief Project Summary:

Planting soybean earlier than mid-May, when weather and soil conditions allow, appears to increase yield without additional expense. Additional data is needed to confirm and to identify potential risks. NDSU recommends broadcast versus banded application of phosphorus to optimize yield response but currently the recommendation is not supported with ND field research. While most farmers are growing soybean in intermediate row spacing (15- to 22-inch rows), yield data is being requested for the comparison of paired rows (centered on wide-row spacing) versus intermediate or wide rows. Also, time from planting to canopy closure may be reduced (desirable for increasing yield potential) using...

Unique Keywords:
#crop management systems
Information And Results
Final Project Results

Update:

View uploaded report Word file

Executive summary:

Impact of selected establishment factors on soybean production

Greg Endres, Extension area agronomist (principal investigator), and Dr. Mike Ostlie, NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC) research agronomist

Field study 1 was initiated in 2011 and concluded in 2016 at the CREC to examine soybean response to early planting and P (phosphorus) fertilizer application methods.
Seed yield was similar with 2016 trial planting dates of May 5 and May 18. This was likely due to hail damage that occurred on July 9 and having adequate soil moisture during crop reproductive stages. Averaged across 4 site-years of this study, early planted soybean (April 30 to May 5) had a 2.0 bu/acre (4%) advantage compared to a normal planting period (May 15-23). While risks exist for planting soybean early, increased yield potential exists without additional expenses.

Broadcast (either preplant incorporated or pre-emergence surface applied) P fertilizer (liquid 6-24-6) applied at the NDSU recommended rate based on soil analysis and yield goal, to a loam soil testing low to medium for P was compared to P application in a 0x2-inch band (two-third rate of broadcast) during planting. Averaged across 5 site-years (2011-14, 2016) of this study, indicates a 1% yield increase with broadcast versus banded P. The modest yield increase with broadcast versus banded P fertilizer will have to be considered by farmers as they review their plant nutrition strategies for soybean production.

Field study 2 was initiated in 2015 and continued in 2016 at the CREC to examine soybean response to paired rows and plant canopy types. The newest interest with soybean row spacing is with paired rows, but research data is limited in North Dakota. As farmers consider row spacing options, they also ask about the best choice of plant canopy type when determining soybean varieties to grow. Data from this study will assist in answering questions regarding any advantages with using paired-row spacing and if plant canopy type is a contributing factor to increasing soybean yield.
In 2016, row spacing includes: a) 7-inch pairs (centered on 28-inch spacing), b) 14 inches, and c) 28 inches; and plant canopy types include: a) intermediate (Peterson Farms Seed 12R05) and b) bushy (PFS 15R05N). The varieties have the same maturity group rating; and have similar yield potential, plant height and several other agronomic traits.

Averaged across the two varieties, early and late season plant stand was similar among row spacings (early season trial average = 132,600 plants/A). Seed yield was similar between paired (50.7 bu/A) and 14-inch (52.5 bu/A) rows, and greater than 28-inch (44.6 bu/A) rows. Averaged across row spacings, canopy types had similar canopy closure (measured Aug. 15) and yield. Plant response, and seed yield and quality with the row by plant type interaction were not statistically significant. No conclusions will be made with the two factors or interactions until the study is tentatively completed in 2017.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.