2019
Determining the Optimum Planter Downforce Settings in Soybean
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Contributor/Checkoff:
South Carolina Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Economic studies
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Michael Plumblee, Clemson University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
South Carolina Soybean Board
$8,480
Institution Funded:
Clemson University
$8,480
Brief Project Summary:

The development and availability of new planter technologies has increased over the last decade. Understanding how to properly use and set planters equipped with downforce is essential to maximize agronomic and economic benefit. Downforce is one planter technology that is often associated with assisting in maintaining uniform seed depth across fields, with hopes that crop emergence is uniform. This project aims to determine if planter downforce has an effect on soybean crop emergence, the optimum downforce planter setting for various tillage practices and soil textures and the return on investment and payback period for downforce technology utilized in soybean production in South Carolina.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

The expected output/deliverables of this research will be shared with soybean growers in South Carolina and throughout the southeast. Information exchange will be through the use of the bimonthly Clemson Precision Ag Newsletter, social media (Twitter and Facebook), extension publications, Clemson Precision Ag Seminar Series, field days, and grower meetings.

Final Project Results

Updated March 19, 2020:

View uploaded report PDF file

The next steps for this research would be to present the findings at local, regional, and national meetings, field days, and through other news outlets. In addition, to continue this research for one more year with at least two locations to confirm or deny the findings in 2019 across multiple environments, weather patterns, locations, and years. Additional sites with varying levels of crop residues may be beneficial as well. Upon conclusion of this research in 2020 recommendations could then be scientifically made to SC soybean growers. Furthermore, this research could be published in an academic journal to further support planter research in soybean production in SC.

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.