2018
Improving agronomic management of Oklahoma soybeans: Weed management and improved productivity
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Oklahoma Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
AgricultureCrop protectionHerbicide
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Josh Lofton, Oklahoma State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Oklahoma Soybean Board
$15,437
Institution Funded:
Oklahoma State University
$15,437
Brief Project Summary:

In Oklahoma, soybeans are grown in diverse conditions and production systems, offering numerous production challenges in each region such as maintaining productivity and weed management. Understanding how management practices vary within the regions will benefit the soybean industry and improve productivity at the local level. Project objectives include determining the impact of planting date, plant population, and pre-plant weed management programs on soybean productivity and weed control; evaluating cover crops as a tool to help manage weed populations; and determining the suitability of varying soybean maturity groups and planting dates across Oklahoma soybean production regions.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, ag retailers, applicators, extension specialists

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

To evaluate the influence of cover crop for weed control, trials will be established that utilize single and multiple species cover crops ahead of field that will be planted the successive summer to soybeans. Cover crops will be allowed to grow and will be terminated either through cold temperatures in the winter or chemically in the spring in a timely manner prior planting of the summer crop. Cover crops evaluated will include but not be limited to cereal rye, bin run winter wheat, tillage radish, and winter peas. The soybean crop will be no-till planted into the residue. Weed counts and canopy coverage will be taken on a bi-weekly basis from planting through vegetative growth stages and once a month during reproductive stages. At harvest, yields will be collected from the individual plots.

To determine the suitability of maturity groups and cultivars associated with planting dates across, trails will be established across major soybean producing areas of the state. These trials will be located on major research stations unless a cooperator can be identified within each region. A minimum of 3 different soybean maturity groups will be selected. Soybean will be planted at three major planting periods, including timely, late-full season, and double crop. The dates for these will vary between each major production region but will align with the times where a majority of producers are utilizing. Following planting, emergency populations will be taken. One month after emergence, plant vigor estimations will be evaluated by taking plant height and canopeo measures. At harvest, final plant heights as well as yield parameters will be taken, followed by plot weights. These plot weights will be used to estimated crop yield. Samples will be collected and evaluated with for seed oil and protein content.

Final Project Results

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.