2019
Nitrogen Relationships with Soybean in SW North Dakota
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Dakota Soybean Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomicsSeed quality
Parent Project:
Nitrogen Relationship of Soybean in Southwest North Dakota
Lead Principal Investigator:
Ryan Buetow, North Dakota State University-Dickinson
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
QSSB
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Dakota Soybean Council
$14,944
Institution Funded:
North Dakota State University
$14,944
Brief Project Summary:

Objectives of this research are to evaluate yield and growth differences between five nitrogen management strategies applied to two soybean cultivars with different maturities grown at two seeding populations. Research results will increase the knowledge base of soybean practices in southwest North Dakota. Researchers will evaluate growth and yield differences among the treatments, observe root nodule formation, and calculate the economic outcome of the different nitrogen management strategies.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension specialists

Information And Results
Final Project Results

Update:

View uploaded report Word file

Objectives of the research
Objectives of the research were to evaluate yield and growth differences between five nitrogen (N) fertilizer management strategies applied to two soybean cultivars with different maturities grown at two plant populations and to increase the knowledge base of soybean practices in southwest North Dakota.

Completed work
The research was conducted at two locations in 2017 and 2018 however only data from the Hettinger location was recorded due to herbicide damage in 2017 in Dickinson. In 2018 the Dickinson site had issues with too high of nutrient levels and we also dealt with early frost in the region. The Dickinson site was a little further behind the Hettinger site in maturity at first frost and there was frost damage during pod fill that caused issues with pod filling. Due to this issue only data from Hettinger is included in 2018 as well. Information from this trial was disseminated at Western Dakota Crops Day in Hettinger on December 20th 2018 and was discussed with stakeholders throughout the season.
2017 and 2018 results
There were some differences between some of the treatment interactions that need to be further investigated before making any conclusions. In 2017, no significant yield differences were found between populations. 80,000 plants/acre averaged 23.3 bu/ac while 160,000 plants/acre averaged 24.2 bu/ac. In 2018, 160,000 plants/acre yielded significantly higher at 27.1 bu/ac compared to 25.4 bu/ac in 80,000 plants/acre however depending on seed input costs and soybean price this may not necessarily result in higher profits.
Drought conditions in 2017 reduced yield capacity for soybeans. Under drought conditions a plant population half of the recommended seeding rate was able to yield just as well as the full rate. While it may be possible that with higher rainfall a larger yield is possible, more work should be conducted before changing recommendations. Under drought conditions with a reduced yield potential, it could be possible to reduce seed input costs without losing bushels and depending on the economic environment it may still be profitable to decrease plant population.
The trial will be continued in 2019 with locations planted in Dickinson, Hettinger, and Mandan.

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.