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Soybeans yield well over a wide range of seeding rates and final plant stands. Soybeans will compensate for thin stands, assuming weather conditions allow for strong growth. Higher plants stands are necessary in shorter season areas and clay soils compared to southern regions with lush growing environments. Excessive seeding rates add unnecessary cost and increase […]
Row Width Soybeans thrive under a wide range of row widths, especially in the long-season regions of Ontario. Row width selection is influenced by numerous factors, including tillage system, equipment suitability, weed problems, soil conditions, white mould pressure, and planting date. In Ontario, the majority of soybeans grown are solid seeded (19 cm or 7.5 […]
In recent years double cropping soybeans has become more common. In the past, double cropping was mainly attempted after winter barley or pea harvest in July. Now, double cropping after winter wheat has become more common in southwestern Ontario. Double cropping can be successful if soybeans are seeded early enough with adequate soil moisture for […]
Planting Date Planting date is one of the most important management tools available to maximize yield potential. Late seeded crops do not have adequate time to “catch up” with early seeded plants in most of Ontario, see figure 1. Figure 1. Vegetative plant growth differences based on planting date. Plot on left was planted in […]
Biological N fixation Biological N fixation converts gaseous nitrogen in the air (N2) to a form of nitrogen the plant can use, known as ammonium (NH4+). In legumes, symbiotic nitrogen fixation occurs when rhizobia invade the root hair and form a nodule on the root, see figure 1, Soybean Nodules. Rhizobia are a specific group […]
Knowing the quality of the seed being planted is critical to establishing a healthy crop. Certified seed is a guarantee of purity and germination standards. The quality of “farm-saved” bin-run seed is not known unless the germination is tested at an accredited seed lab prior to planting, see Factsheet, Ontario Laboratories Offering Custom Seed Germination […]
Soybeans are a photoperiod sensitive crop, meaning they flower based on the number of hours of sunlight in a day as well as temperature. Genetics, temperature, and hours of sunshine all play a role in when soybeans begin to flower and how fast they will mature in the fall. Soybeans typically begin flowering at the […]
One of the most important management decisions for improving yields is variety selection. Depending on growing conditions, individual varieties may perform differently from year to year. Growing more than one variety helps to reduce the risk of a crop failure. Planting the majority of acreage to a proven variety while testing new varieties on a […]
Soybeans are very responsive to crop rotation. Limiting the number of soybeans in a rotation plays an important role in soybean health. It is an essential factor influencing yields, especially in a dry growing season or a year when soybean disease and pest pressure is high. Table 1, Soybean Yield Response to Tillage and Rotation, […]
Cereal Residue When soybeans follow a cereal crop, pay special attention to the management of cereal residue, beginning at harvest to avoid problems with soybean establishment. In research trials conducted at the University of Guelph, removal of the wheat straw improved seedbed conditions, stand establishment, growth, and yield of no-till soybeans. Results are shown in […]
Figure 1, Soybean Growth Stages illustrates plant growth stages from emergence to full maturity. The system used to describe soybean growth stages divides plant development into two stages: vegetative (V) — leaves and nodes — and reproductive (R) — flowers, pods and seeds. The V stage refers to the number of nodes on the main […]
Cereal leaf beetle (CLB) adults and eggs have been spotted at low levels in some of the YEN cereal sites being monitored this year. Best to scout fields with a known history of CLB activity soon and plan to check all cereal fields a few times over the next few weeks until the head is […]
Black cutworm (BCW) and true armyworm (TAW) moths have been making their way into Ontario over the last few weeks. Black cutworm in particular have been arriving since mid April in southwestern Ontario, with trap counts increasing weekly. Shout out to our new northern Ontario trap participants at the New Liskeard, Thunder Bay and Emo […]
Soybeans grow well under various tillage systems, including conventional, minimum tillage, and no-till. Approximately two-thirds of the soybean crop in Ontario is grown with minimal tillage and no-till systems. Proper management of the tillage system is as important as the system selected. Field experience has demonstrated similar yields between tillage systems, although a global meta-analysis […]
Optimizing Combine Adjustments Operator manuals contain the best starting point for setting up a small grain harvester. Occasionally conditions arise that require further adjustments. Harvest of fusarium-damaged grain, lodged crops or crops infected with dwarf or common bunt requires special attention. The easiest and best way to improve the grain sample in these situations is […]