Soybean management practices
Soybean management practices in
farming are the decisions a producer must make in order to raise a soybean crop. The type of tillage
, plant population, row spacing, and planting date are four major management decisions that soybean farmers must consider. How individual producers choose to handle each management application depends on their own farming circumstances.
Tillage
Tillage is defined in farming as the disturbance of soil in preparation for a crop. Tillage is usually done to warm the seed bed up, to help dry the seed bed out, to break up disease, and to reduce early weed pressure. Tillage prior to planting adds cost per acre farmed and has not been shown to increase soybean yields significantly.[citation needed]
“
conservation practice because tilling disturbs the soil crust, causing erosion. The practice of no-till is currently on the rise among farmers in the midwestern United States.[citation needed
]
Plant population
Plant population is the number of
seeds planted in a given area. Population is usually expressed as plants or seeds per acre. Plant population is one of two major factors that determine canopy closure (when the plants cover the space in between the rows) and other yield components.[2] A higher seed population will close the canopy faster and reduce soil moisture loss. A high plant population does not necessarily equal a high yield. The recommended seeding rate is 125,000 to 140,000 seeds per acre.[2] The goal is to achieve a final stand of 100,000 plants per acre.[2]
Planting the extra seed gives the producer added insurance that each acre will attain a final stand of 100,000 plants.
Row spacing
Row spacing is the second factor that determines canopy closure and yield components.
Planting date
Planting date refers to the date that the seed is sown. This concept is of prime importance in growing soybeans because yields are strongly correlated with planting date. Data from
pathogens and insect pressure.[1] Knowing the chance of frost in a given area prior to planting helps determine how early seed can safely be sown.[2]
See also
- Agronomy
- Agricultural soil science
- Agricultural science
- Agricultural productivity
- List of soybean diseases
References
- ^ a b Robert G. Hoeft, Emerson D. Nafziger, Richard R. Johnson, and Samuel R. Aldrich . Modern Corn and Soybean Production. '1st ed. Champaign, IL: MCSP Publications, 2000.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Pedersen, Palle. "Soybean Production." Iowa State University Soybean Extension and Research Program. 4, January 2008. Iowa State University Extension. 20 Feb 2008 <http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/soybean/topicpage1.html>.