2026
Effect of Maturity Grouping on Row Spacing Recommendation in ND
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Contributor/Checkoff:
North Dakota Soybean Council
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
(none assigned)
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Kristin Simons, North Dakota State University, Carrington Research Extension Center
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
2026_Agronomy_27
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
North Dakota Soybean Council
$5,499
Leveraged Funding (Non-Checkoff):
Institution Funded:
North Dakota State University
$5,499
Brief Project Summary:
This project focuses on providing region-specific management guidelines for soybean row spacing. By ensuring guidelines are tailored to local conditions, the research aims to help producers optimize practices, improve crop yields, reduce input costs, and increase profitability.
Information And Results
Project Summary

Soybean cultivation is expanding into Western North Dakota, but many of the management practices currently in use are based on research conducted under conditions typical of Central and Eastern North Dakota. One key finding from this research is that narrower row spacing (less than 15 inches) generally leads to higher soybean yields compared to wider row spacing (greater than 15 inches). However, a 2024 soybean demonstration near Wishek, ND, showed results that contradicted the statewide row spacing recommendations, with wide-spaced rows yielding 30% more than narrow-spaced rows. To further investigate this finding, a follow-up study will be conducted in 2025 to replicate these results using two soybean varieties from different maturity groups. The goal is to better understand the factors driving these unexpected outcomes and refine management practices for Western North Dakota.

Project Objectives

The primary objective of this project is to determine whether the yield results from the 2024 row spacing demonstration near Wishek, ND, were an anomaly, or if they indicate a need to reassess the current soybean row spacing guidelines for Western North Dakota. To achieve this, a replicated trial will be conducted at the same site during the 2025 growing season, comparing different row spacings across multiple soybean varieties.

Project Deliverables

The project will generate comprehensive yield data from soybean varieties planted in various row spacings at the Wishek site. These results will be analyzed and shared with key stakeholders, including farmers, agricultural extension professionals, and researchers. The findings will inform whether the existing soybean management guidelines for row spacing in Western North Dakota need to be revised or upheld.

Progress Of Work

Final Project Results

Benefit To Soybean Farmers

Producers rely on up-to-date, region-specific management guidelines to make informed production decisions. When guidelines are outdated or based on conditions from other regions, producers risk lower yields and higher input costs. This study aims to provide more accurate, regionally relevant recommendations for soybean row spacing, which will help producers optimize their practices, improve crop productivity, and ultimately enhance profitability

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.