2019
Strategies for identification and rescue of poorly nodulated soybeans
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Contributor/Checkoff:
South Carolina Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Field management Nutrient managementSoil healthTillageYield trials
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Nathan Hancock, University of South Carolina
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
South Carolina Soybean Board
$10,000
Institution Funded:
Clemson University
$10,000
Brief Project Summary:

Deficient soybean nodulation can cause dramatic yield loss due to nitrogen deficiency. Previous research has developed a model for diagnosing nitrogen deficiency from aerial image analysis. This technology could eventually allow soybean farmers to identify and rescue nitrogen deficiency problems. This project seeks to provide information about how much nitrogen needs to be applied to nitrogen-deficient soybeans to restore yield. Work incudes growing nodulation deficient soybeans with different nitrogen fertilization treatments, collecting aerial color analysis, tissue analysis, and yield data, developing a model describing leaf color and nitrogen deficiency and determining what level of rescue fertilization rescues yield.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension agents

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

• Direct comparison of aerial color analysis to tissue analysis (and yield data) will indicate if color analysis can indicate nutrient deficiency.
• Determine the effectiveness of different rates of nitrogen application at rescuing nitrogen deficient soybeans
In addition to these deliverables, the information gained from this study will provide the preliminary data needed for development of analytical tools and software that will allow growers, consultants, specialists, and breeders to use image data.

Final Project Results

Updated March 19, 2020:

View uploaded report PDF file

Our goals were to generate a gradient of leaf nitrogen levels in order to draw correlations between aerial color analysis and leaf tissue analysis. This portion of the project was completed as proposed, allowing us to perform statistically sound analysis. Unfortunately, we were not able to obtain yield data this year, so we were not able to make inferences about how nitrogen deficient soybeans can be rescued. This resulted from a combination of factors including Maturity group, irrigation, and weather.

The researchers are preparing a follow up proposal to complete this project. We have plans to deal with the problems that occurred at the end of the season, so will be able to perform a detailed analysis of what level of nitrogen fertilization would be needed to rescue nodulation deficient plants.

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.