Title

Seed Yield Effects Associated With Soybean and Dry Bean Plant Establishment Factors

(A2125 March 2024)

File

Publication File:

A2125 Seed Yield Effects Associated with Soybean and Dry Bean Plant Establishment Factors

Lead Author

Lead Author:

Greg Endres, Extension Cropping Systems Specialist, Carrington Research Extension Center

Availability

Availability:

Web only

Publication Sections

The following tables are results from North Dakota State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension field research trials conducted across the state during the past 25 years. The research was partially supported by the North Dakota Soybean Council and Northarvest Bean Growers Association.

Soybean and dry bean plant establishment factors are listed as improved practices compared to traditional practices based on average percent yield increase with improved practices. The far right column shows the total number of trials conducted that support yield information. Footnotes describe selected factors. Further refinement of the improved practices is suggested based on field production history, soil characteristics, cultivar grown, weather, etc.

NDSU research summary of soybean plant establishment factors: Seed yield increase with improved vs. traditional practices

Factor	Improved Practice (IP)	Yield Increase IP vs. TP (%)	Traditional Practice (TP)	Number of Trials
Tillage system	reduced till²	4	conventional till	37
Previous crop	wheat	5	soybean	6
Variety maturity group	0.1 later³	1.5 – 2	normal	4
Planting date	early May⁴	8	mid-May	10
Planting rate (pure live seed/acre)	150,000 – 175,000	6	100,000 – 130,000	44
Row spacing (inches)	14 – 21	4	28 – 30	24
Seed fungicide	yes	6	no	29
Rhizobia bacteria seed inoculation with soybean production history	yes⁵	2	no	16
Phosphorus fertilizer application method¹	broadcast	0.5	band (away from seed)	7
Timing of initial weed control	at planting	5	early post (2- to 4-inch weeds)	8

¹Broadcast at NDSU recommended rates and band rates reduced by one-third. Note minimal yield improvement with broadcast application.

²Reduced till includes direct-planted in previous crop stubble, strip-till or no-till.

³Additional yield gain may occur with longer maturing varieties but risk is involved due to plant death from freezing temperatures prior to plant maturity.

⁴Risks are associated with early planted soybean into cold soils and with frost occurring after plant emergence.

⁵Seed inoculation generally is not required if soybean is planted in a field with a prior history of soybean within 3-4 years.

NDSU research summary of dry bean plant establishment factors: Seed yield increase with improved vs. traditional practices

Factor¹	Improved Practice (IP)	Yield Increase IP vs. TP (%)	Traditional Practice (TP)	Number of Trials
Variety selection	above trial average	4	trial average	9
Tillage system	strip-till	similar⁴	conventional	5
Planting date • pinto, black and navy	early (May 11 – 24)	similar⁵	normal (May 22 – June 5)	6
Planting date • pinto, black and navy	late (June 5 – 18)	similar⁵	normal (May 22 – June 5)	6
Plant stand (plants per acre)	87,000	5	72,000	3
Row spacing	Intermediate (14 – 22 inches)		wide
• pinto		20		11
• black		9		4
• navy		22		3
Seed inoculation with rhizobia bacteria	yes²	2	no	10
Phosphorus fertilizer application	in-furrow or band³	16	broadcast	3

¹Pinto bean unless other market classes identified.

²Surveys indicate majority of growers do not inoculate seed.

³10-34-0 at 3-6 gpa (two-third of broadcast rate); band = 2 inches from seed.

⁴No yield advantage with strip-till but benefits include reduced soil erosion, weed suppression, long-term improvement of soil health, etc.

⁵Risks are associated with early planted dry bean into cold soils and with frost occurring after plant emergence.

Seed Yield Effects Associated With Soybean and Dry Bean Plant Establishment Factors

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