2023
Evaluating Yield Response and the Return on Investment of Biological Seed Treatments
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
DiseaseField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Jonathan Kleinjan, South Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
Brief Project Summary:
South Dakota is a participant in a national soybean study as a part of an extension grant from the United Soybean Board. There are a number of biological seed treatments (e.g., fungi, amino acids, bacteria) marketed to growers under the premise that they will produce a positive ROI due to plant health promoting properties. Growers often purchase these products with the intention of maximizing yield. The effect of these products on yield, however, is largely undocumented. We will evaluate several biological seed treatment products to help identify environmental and soil factors where yield response is most likely to occur.
Key Beneficiaries:
#agronomists, #extension specialists, #farmers
Unique Keywords:
#agronomy, #plant health, #seed treatments, #yield
Information And Results
Project Summary

South Dakota has been asked to participate in a national soybean study as a part of an extension grant from the United Soybean Board (Amplifying Extension Impact: Agronomists Collaboratively Delivering Soybean Best Management Practices. (2019-2022) Seth Naeve (UM), Shawn Conley (UW), and Rachel Vann (NCSU), co-PIs). There are a large number of biological seed treatments (e.g., fungi, amino acids, bacteria) marketed to growers under the premise that this practice will produce a positive ROI due to plant health promoting properties. Growers often purchase these products with the intention of maximizing yield to gain a competitive advantage. The effect of these products on yield, however, is largely undocumented. The effect of biological seed treatments on soybean yield and economic returns is important to understand across a range of production environments. Here, we will evaluate commonly marketed biological seed treatment products in several areas of the U.S. This will help us identify environmental and soil factors where yield response to biological seed treatments is most likely to occur.

Project Objectives

1) Identify yield response in soybean to biological seed treatments (commonly marketed products).
2) Conduct economic analyses on the value of these products.
3) Extend results to soybean growers through extension networks.

Project Deliverables

SDSU Extension Articles, presentations, and interviews. National fact sheet.

Progress Of Work

Updated October 30, 2022:
Please see the attached document.

View uploaded report Word file

Updated January 30, 2023:
Please see the attached document

View uploaded report Word file

Updated April 30, 2023:
Please see the attached file.

View uploaded report Word file

Updated July 28, 2023:
No change from 3rd quarter report. Project is being continued in 2023 and a final summary will be completed next year.

View uploaded report Word file

Final Project Results

Updated July 28, 2023:

View uploaded report Word file

Initial results from 2022 show that positive yield response from the biological products tested is unlikely. Project is being continued in 2023 and a final summary will be completed next year.

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

A better understanding of whether biological seed treatments can increase soybean yields and provide an ROI.

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.