Irrigating soybeans

"Missouri's growing season is characterized by excessive moisture in the spring followed by inadequate moisture during the middle of the growing season. Because of the lack of moisture during the crops' peak demand, some producers have invested in irrigation systems. The cost of maintaining and using these systems is high, so it is imperative to manage moisture in the most efficient way possible. The following discussion should help Missouri soybean producers understand the crop's need, the soil's ability to hold and supply water, and the agronomic practices that can result in maximum economic yields under irrigation."--First page.Diana G. Helsel and Zane R. Helsel (Department of Agronomy College of Agriculture)New 12/85/6

Determinate semi-dwarf and semideterminate soybean varieties

"Several environmental factors affect the productivity of soybeans. Among them are water, nutrients and light. When water and nutrients are deficient, they can be supplied artificially by using irrigation and fertilization. Plants don't always intercept and use all of the available light. The efficiency with which the plant intercepts light is influences by such features as leaf area and how the leaves are displayed. Lodging is one factor influencing efficient light interception and use. It can be controlled by genetic manipulation."--First page.Zane R. Helsel and Harry C. Minor (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture)New 6/82/8

Determinate semi-dwarf and semi-determinate soybean varieties

"Several environmental factors affect the productivity of soybeans. Among them are water, nutrients and light. When water and nutrients are deficient, they can be supplied artificially by using irrigation and fertilization. Plants don't always intercept and use all of the available light. The efficiency with which the plant intercepts light is influenced by such features as leaf area and how the leaves are displayed. Lodging is one factor influencing efficient light interception and use. It can be controlled by genetic manipulation."--First page.Zane R. Helsel and Harry C. Minor (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture)Revised 2/87/8

Soybean variety selection

"One of the most perplexing production decisions a farmer faces is, "What variety should I plant?" You receive information on soybean varieties from mass media advertising, from friends or relatives, from seed dealers, from University and extension variety trials, and perhaps from your own strip trials. New varieties from both public and private organizations are abundant. Yields are increasing about one-third of a bushel per acre per year due to genetic improvement. While some new varieties show this response, other new varieties may not yield better than those you use now. Given all this information and the new influx of varieties, how do you choose the best variety to grow? No one has yet developed a simple answer to this question, but it is the intent of this publication to present guidelines for choosing a variety for a given set of conditions."--First page.Zane R. Helsel and Harry C. Minor (Department of Agronomy College of Agriculture)New 11/84/10

Soybean harvest aids (1993)

Except when they have large stems, dead weeds usually cause only minor harvest problems. But unfortunately, only a hard frost will stop the growth and dry up some weeds. However, the average date of the first hard frost in most parts of Missouri is relatively late compared to the average date of soybean maturity and harvest (Figures 1 and 2). Delaying harvest until after a hard frost could result in shattering losses, further delays due to wet weather, delayed wheat planting, and delayed fall tillage. Weed problems could also be more serious in following years because of the extra time weed seeds have to reach maturity

Soybean production in Missouri (1993)

In recent years, farmers in Missouri have grown soybeans on more than five million acres. Soybeans were the most economically successful crop for Missouri farmers in the 1970s and early 1980s. Although weather conditions in Missouri can greatly affect the productivity and economics of soybean production, many production practices can be managed to produce more favorable yields and better economical returns. This guide provides a brief overview of recommended production practices for soybeans in Missouri

Soybean variety selection (1993)

One of the most perplexing production decisions a farmer faces is, 'What variety should I plant?' Information on soybean varieties is received from mass media advertising, friends or relatives, seed dealers, University and extension variety trials, and perhaps from your own strip trials. New varieties from public and private organizations are abundant. Yields are increasing about one-third of a bushel per acre per year due to genetic improvement. While some new varieties show this response, other new varieties may not yield better than those now used. Given all this information and the new influx of varieties, how do you choose the best variety to grow? No one has yet developed a simple answer to this question, but it is the intent of this publication to present guidelines for choosing a variety for a given set of conditions

Wheat-soybean double crop management in Missouri

"Double cropping soybeans after winter wheat has grown in popularity and feasibility in much of Missouri. This cropping system has several advantages. A crop, growing on the land all year, provides control of soil erosion. If you spread annual fixed costs such as land, taxes, and machinery over two crops instead of one, you increase gross returns per acre with relatively low increases in production costs. Thus, you can increase profits per acre. A successful wheat-soybean double crop depends on management and weather conditions. Establishing an adequate soybean stand and effective weed control are critical. In north Missouri, there are few days left in the season after wheat harvest for planting soybeans, and that's a constraint. So knowing the conditions to which doublecropping is best adapted will provide for a successful second crop. Also, it will enable you to avoid those years of high risk."--First page.Harry C. Minor, Zane R. Helsel, and Sean McCrate (Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture)New 10/83/10

Drilled soybeans in Missouri

"Drilled (solid) seeding of soybeans is a continually growing practice in Missouri. More than 1 million acres were drilled in 1986, compared to just 300,000 acres in 1979. Solid seeding was predominant when soybeans first became popular in Missouri and the cropo was used primarily for hay. At that time, some weed growth in the hay crop was tolerable. As emphasis shifted to production for beans, producers shifted to row culture to permit cultivation for weed control."--First page.Harry C. Minor and Zane R. Helsel (Department of Agronomy), and Marion Gentry (Area Agronomy Extension Specialist, College of Agriculture)Revised 8/87/6