2017
Development of a New & Improved Soy Staging System
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Ohio Soybean Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Data analysisData Management
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Laura Lindsey, The Ohio State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
17-R-22
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Ohio Soybean Council
$20,000
Institution Funded:
The Ohio State University
$20,000
Brief Project Summary:

Understanding soybean growth stages is fundamental for all aspects of soybean production. Determining the correct growth stage is essential for timing application of post-applied products, estimating yield potential or yield loss due to crop injury, estimating maturity dates and irrigation scheduling. However, several soybean growth staging systems published in the last 45 years present contradicting and vague descriptions. This project aims to simplify the current growth stage indicators, use the revised stages to better describe soybean seed-fill duration, revise the definition of physiological maturity and harvest maturity, develop a new way to designate maturity groups that reflects the duration of the growing season and define and assign the role of determinacy (e.g. determinate, indeterminate, and semi-determinate).

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents

Information And Results
Final Project Results

Update:
Development of a New and Improved Soy Staging System-Year 1 ReportPI for Ohio: Laura LindseyPI for multi-state collaboration: Shawn ConleyProject Summary:Understanding soybean growth stages is fundamental for all aspects of soybean production. Determining the correct growth stage is essential for: 1) Appropriate and legal application of post-applied products, 2) Estimating yield potential or yield loss due to crop injury (hail), disease (SDS), or defoliation from insect feeding, 3) Proper timing and increased ROI for fungicide use (e.g. white mold application timing), 4) Estimating maturity dates under late planting, double crop or early frost situations, and 5) Irrigation scheduling and termination, and 6) Enhancing phenotyping and breeder selections based on seed fill duration or other physiological parameters. However, several soybean growth staging systems published in the last 45 years present contradicting and vague descriptions, leading to confusion among farmers and other agricultural professionals. Therefore, the objectives of this project are to: 1.) Simplify the current growth stage indicators 2.) Use the revised stages to better describe soybean seed-fill duration 3.) Revise the definition of physiological maturity and harvest maturity 4.) Develop a new way to designate maturity groups that reflects the duration of the growing season 5.) Define and assign the role of determinacy (eg determinate, indeterminate, and semi-determinate)Preliminary (Year 1) Results: In 2017, a field trial was established at the Western Agricultural Research Station in Clark County, Ohio, to re-evaluate the soybean staging system. Eighteen soybean varieties ranging from 0.2 to 7.5 relative maturity were evaluated. Soybeans with a 5.5 relative maturity or greater did not achieve full maturity before a killing frost in mid-October. Soybeans were not harvested until November 27 to allow the frost-killed soybeans to dry-down naturally in the field. Grain yield varied considerably based on relative maturity. The earliest maturity(0.2) yielded 13-25 bu/acre while the latest maturity (7.5) yielded 32-45 bu/acre.The highest yield, 65 bu/acre was achieved with a 4.1 relative maturity.This trial will be repeated in 2018. After completion of the second year, data will be analyzed across states to improve the current soybean staging system

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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.