2019
Soybean Response to Selected Plant Nutrition inputs and Rye as a Cover-Companion Crop
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Dakota Soybean Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomicsSeed quality
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Greg Endres, North Dakota State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
QSSB
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Dakota Soybean Council
$8,000
Institution Funded:
North Dakota State University
$8,000
Brief Project Summary:

The goal of this project is to continue building NDSU databases on soybean yield impact with three trials examining specific plant nutrition and establishment factors including plant nutrition and plant establishment. Researchers explored if there is a yield response to using two rhizobia inoculant formulations and special fertilizer inputs. The team also looked at whether cereal rye as a cover crop will impact soybean yield while providing soil benefits in conventional soybean production.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension specialists, applicators

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Final Project Results

Update:

View uploaded report Word file

Why the research is important to ND soybean farmers:
The goal of this project is to continue building NDSU databases on soybean yield impact with three trials examining specific plant nutrition and establishment factors:
PLANT NUTRITION
1. Double-inoculated soybean seed: With recent soybean production history, is there a yield response with using two rhizobia inoculant formulations (granular plus liquid as a ‘double inoculant’) vs. single formulation or no inoculant?
2. Special fertilizer inputs: Is there a yield response to soil- or foliar-applied sulfur (S)?
PLANT ESTABLISHMENT
3. Rye as a cover crop: Will winter (cereal) rye as a cover crop impact soybean yield while providing soil benefits compared to conventional soybean production?
Research:
• Trial 1: Conducted at NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center and Tri-county research site near Wishek during 2015-18 (6 site-years) with granular, liquid, and the combination of rhizobia inoculant formulations applied to soybean seed on ground with prior soybean production history.
• Trial 2: Conducted at Tri-county research site during 2016-18 using preplant, soil-applied S as MES15 (Mosaic) or foliar-applied as MAX-IN S (Winfield).
• Trial 3: Commenced in 2018 at the Tri-county research site with the following treatments: 1) soybean grown without rye as a cover crop; 2) rye terminated with glyphosate one month before soybean planting; and 3) rye terminated with glyphosate at soybean planting.

Findings of the research:
• Trial 1: Seed yield was statistically similar among treatments.

• Trial 2: No seed yield response with soil- or foliar-applied S compared to the untreated check during each year of the trial. The trial continues in 2019.

• Trial 3: Research continues in 2019 and requires multiple years of data before reaching conclusions.
Benefits/Recommendations to ND soybean farmers and industry:
• Trial 1: With a previous history of soybean (1 to 3 years separating soybean crops), single or double inoculation of soybean seed with rhizobia will not increase seed yield.
• Trial 2: Current results of this research indicate a lack of soybean yield response with S.
• Trial 3: Use of winter rye before soybean production provides numerous potential benefits including reduction in soil erosion, weed suppression and long-term improvement in soil productivity. Timing of rye termination with glyphosate needs to be carefully considered to balance the benefits of the cover crop while preserving soil moisture for the soybean crop.

The United Soybean Research Retention policy will display final reports with the project once completed but working files will be purged after three years. And financial information after seven years. All pertinent information is in the final report or if you want more information, please contact the project lead at your state soybean organization or principal investigator listed on the project.