The earlier soybeans flower, the higher odds of more pods and beans
Want to boost soybean yields in 2022? Consider planting soybeans earlier.
“We need to change our mindset that soybeans have to follow corn in planting order,” says Farm Journal Field Agronomist Missy Bauer.
It’s a difficult shift for many farmers to make — the labor logistics and equipment required to plant soybeans earlier might feel daunting.
But Bauer says the yield potential is there, as early planting allows earlier canopy closure, which increases total sunlight interception and allows plants to transpire more available water. She suggests having canopy closure within a week or so after the summer solstice in June.
Remember and understand the linear relationship between the amount of total water transpired and the final crop yield, Bauer says.
Early planting dates can improve yields by reducing evaporation loss in a variety of ways:
- Cooler soil temperature before canopy closure.
- Reduced solar radiation by the soil surface.
- Higher humidity in-canopy once rows are closed.
Sunlight interception, transpiration and soil temperature all factor in. Bauer recommends a soil temperature of 55°F, taken at a depth of 2".
“From planting through emergence and V1, growth is very dependent on soil temperature,” Bauer says. “After V1, soil temperature is less of a factor. It then reverts back to genetics and the growing environment.”
Bauer also says important node development between V1 and R5 is not affected by planting date. “The quicker you get to V1, the more opportunity you have, which results in more potential nodes per plant,” she says.
When planting soybeans early, Bauer says to factor in these issues:
- Seed quality and its performance in warm, cold and saturated cold germination tests.
- Planting depth, which should be between 1.25" to 1.5" deep.
- Planting pass, which should achieve uniform emergence and consistent planting depth.
- Seed treatment, which is often justified in early planting and in situations involving high residue cover, wet soils or lower seed quality.
