Plant analysis measures the nutrient content of plant tissue. Comparing the results against the “normal” and “critical” values for the crop can indicate whether nutrient supply is adequate for optimum growth. Plant analysis is the basis of fertilizer recommendations for some horticultural crops and is a useful supplement to soil testing for evaluation of the […]
The OMAFA-accredited soil testing program provides assurance of laboratory performance and appropriate analyses to support guidelines for nitrogen, phosphate, potash, magnesium, zinc and manganese fertilizer, along with parameters for the amount and type of lime to apply. The analytical methods used were chosen to provide accurate results on the range of soils found in Ontario. […]
Taking a soil sample is the first step to understanding your soil’s nutrient status in order to make decisions for your crop’s fertility. The next step in the process is to use the results coming back from the soil laboratory to develop a plan for fertilizer and organic amendment application. However, it can sometimes be […]
Soil sampling is a critical step to making effective crop nutrient decisions, and is one of the most profitable operations you can perform on your farm in a given year. A proper soil sample is the only way to determine whether your soils contain adequate levels of plant essential nutrients such, and how soil parameters […]
Dry green soybean seeds at harvest are the result of an extremely dry growing season, especially during July and August and is more common on soils with poor water holding capacity. Green soybeans can occur even if the seed moisture has fallen below 13%. These green seeds are not the large unripe green beans that […]
Heavy rains soon after planting causing ponding will reduce plant stands due to crusting, seed decay, and diseases, see figure 1. If the water subsides in a few days, soybean stands are often still acceptable, although final yield may be impacted. Once plants have emerged the length of time soybeans survive under water depends on […]
Lightning damage is confined to relatively small circular or oval regions with a diameter of 5-10 m (13-30 ft). Damaged areas may take on the shape of the standing or running water that accumulated during a thunderstorm. Plants are usually killed but can survive on the edges of the affected area. Diagnosis is straightforward since […]
Early Season Damage Temperatures as low as -2 °C can be tolerated for short periods of time when soybeans are just emerging or at the VC growth stages. Young plants at the VC stage are slightly more frost tolerant compared to soybeans at the V1 or V2 growth stage. Once trifoliate leaves are present plants […]
Many IP varieties should not be artificially dried, especially with heat. Producers should contact the buyer concerning acceptable moisture levels and possible drying of IP soybeans. Grain Dryers The three basic general types of grain dryers used on farm are: No single drying system is superior to others in every respect. System selection is dependent […]
Soybeans are direct combined, preferably with a combine equipped with a floating flexible cutter bar and automatic header height control. Although soybeans must be stored at a moisture level of 14% or less, they can be harvested when their moisture levels are less than 20%. Harvest losses and mechanical damage may be high when soybeans […]
A pre-harvest herbicide treatment can make harvest more efficient when there are an unacceptable number of weeds in a soybean crop. Both conventional and glyphosate tolerant fields that are weedy can benefit from a pre-harvest herbicide. Drier plant matter will pass more easily through the combine, lowering seed losses and reducing seed staining. Appropriate product […]
The precise yield of a soybean field is notoriously difficult to predict before harvest. This is because seed size can vary by over 30 percent and zones within a field can have drastically different yields depending on soil water holding capacity, disease pressure, topography, etc. Plants with low pod number and combine harvest losses also […]
Soybean leaf tissue analysis involves sampling the top fully developed trifoliates (three leaflets plus petiole) at first flowering. Take at least 20 trifoliates collected randomly from the area in question. Table 1, Interpretation of Plant Analysis for Soybeans, shows expected values at first flower. It’s important not to contaminate leaf tissue with soil. Do not […]
Placement Ontario trials have shown little benefit to banding P and K (5 cm (2 in.) to the side and 5 cm (2 in.) below the seed) compared to broadcast, See Table 1, Soybean Yield Response to Banded Fertilizer in Low-Testing Soils. Both broadcast and banded P and K blends added significant yield compared to […]
Manganese (Mn) is the only micronutrient deficiency diagnosed in soybeans across a wide acreage annually in Ontario, although zinc deficiency may appear where the topsoil has been lost through erosion. Manganese deficiency symptoms appear on upper leaves, ranging from pale green (slight deficiency) to almost white (severe deficiency) with green veins, see figure 1. Soil […]