Impact of Planting Date and Seed Treatment on Soybean Yield

Today’s high-yielding soybean varieties respond favorably to early planting. Multi-year results from statewide university research farms suggest that mid-April to early May planting dates produce top yields in most comparisons. Research farm and on-farm strip trials also suggest that elite varieties yield similarly over a wide range of seeding rates and resulting harvest populations. Based on these results, producers are advised to plant soybeans as soon as spring field conditions allow, with a seeding rate of 150,000 to 175,000 seeds per acre. The yield response of modern varieties to early planting raises questions about expanding the soybean planting season (very early planting of some soybean acres in late March or early April) when weather conditions allow. In 2000 a soybean “planting date x seed treatment” study was initiated to evaluate yield response of two adapted, high-yield varieties to very early planting. Research objectives are to determine whether planting soybeans earlier than corn could be a viable management option for Iowa producers, and if fungicide seed treatments are needed to make this practice profitable. Establishment of similar studies at four other university research farms statewide afforded yield response comparisons of adapted varieties from five unique soil associations and environments. Soils at the Armstrong Research Farm are typical of the Marshall-Exira soil association

Planting Date and Seed Treatment Effects on Soybean Yield

Today’s high-yielding soybean varieties respond favorably to early planting. Multi-year results from statewide university research farms suggest that mid-April to early May planting dates produce top yields in most comparisons. Research farm and on-farm strip trials also suggest that elite varieties yield similarly over a wide range of seeding rates and resulting harvest populations. Based on these results, producers are advised to plant soybeans as soon as spring field conditions allow, with a seeding rate of 150,000 to 175,000 seeds per acre

Seed-Applied Fungicides for Very Early Planted Soybeans

Today’s high-yielding soybean varieties respond favorably to early planting. Multi-year results from statewide university research farms suggest that mid-April to early May planting dates produce top yields in most comparisons. Research farm and on-farm strip trials also suggest that elite varieties yield similarly over a wide range of seeding rates and resulting harvest populations. Based on these results, producers are advised to plant soybeans as soon as spring field conditions allow, with a seeding rate of 150,000–175,000 seeds/acre

Roundup Ready vs. Conventional Soybean Yield Comparison

Many Iowa soybean producers have adopted Roundup Ready (RR) technology on their farms in recent years. Reduced weed control costs, greater flexibility in herbicide application timing, and the potential for “cleaner” soybean fields are often cited as reasons for using RR technology; however, questions remain about potential profit-robbing yield reductions associated with RR varieties

Using Fungicide-treated Seed for Very Early Soybean Planting

Modern, elite soybean varieties respond well to early planting. Multi-year results from ISU research farms suggest that mid–April to early May planting dates most often produce top yields. Research farm and on-farm strip trials also suggest that elite varieties yield similarly over a wide range of seeding rates and resulting harvest populations. Based on these results, producers are advised to plant soybeans as soon as spring field conditions allow, with a seeding rate of 150,000 to 175,000 seeds/acre

Seed Fungicide Treatments for Very Early Soybean Planting

Today’s high-yielding soybean varieties respond favorably to early planting. Multiyear results from statewide university research farms suggest that mid-April to early May planting dates produce top yields in most comparisons. Research farm and on-farm strip trials also suggest that elite varieties yield similarly over a wide range of seeding rates and resulting harvest populations. Based on these results, producers are advised to plant soybeans as soon as spring field conditions allow, with a seeding rate of 150,000 to 175,000 seeds/acre

Roundup Ready vs. Conventional Soybean Variety Yield Test

Many Iowa soybean producers have adopted Roundup Ready (RR) technology on their farms in recent years. Reduced weed control costs, greater flexibility in herbicide application timing, and the potential for “cleaner” soybean fields are often cited as reasons for using RR technology; however, questions remain about potential profit-robbing yield reductions associated with RR varieties. A soybean yield performance comparison of adapted, elite RR varieties and elite conventional varieties was initiated in 1998. Our research objective was to compare genetic yield potential of commercial varieties, not to analyze the economics of one soybean variety-herbicide program versus another. Establishment of similar studies at four other university research farms statewide afforded yield comparisons of adapted varieties from five unique soil associations and environments. Northeast Research Farm soils are typical of the Kenyon-Floyd-Clyde soil association