2020
Improving Soybean Yields by Enhancing Seed Filling
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Kansas Soybean Commission
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
Field management Nutrient managementSoil healthTillageYield trials
Parent Project:
Improving Soybean Yields by Enhancing Seed Filling
Lead Principal Investigator:
Ignacio Ciampitti, Kansas State University
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
2076
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Kansas Soybean Commission
$27,500
Institution Funded:
Kansas State University
$27,500
Brief Project Summary:

Soybeans accumulate between 30-50% of the final yield during the seed filling period (R5-R7). Research shows improving “green leaf area” duration and extending the seed filling period by only 7 days provided a yield benefit of more than 10 bu/acre. Therefore, further investigation needs to be done on management practices that can extend the seed-filling period (at least for a few days) impacting soybean yields across different environments. Project goals include identifying late-season management practices that improve final seed number and weight, and seed yield. Enhancing seed filling is critical for improving soybean yields under varying environments and changing climate-economic scenarios.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, extension specialists

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

The project will provide outcomes to help identify on-farm production practices that are blocking yield potential and provide data for possible management practices to increase yields. All project outcomes will be disseminated in diverse research and extension communication outlets to help Kansas soybean producers for maximizing financial returns and preserve the land and water resources under their control.

Final Project Results

Update:
All plots were harvest and yield information processed. As a summary for the main yield and its components, the study reported:
Soybean yield and 1000 seed weight
The treatments did not affect soybean grain yield. The observed yield means ranged from 71 bu/ac (intensified treatment) to 62 bu/ac (PN comp + N fixation). Furthermore, thousand seed weight was also not affected by the treatments. The PN complete treatment obtained the lowest mean value, 129.5 g. The intensified treatment reached the maximum mean value 138g. Along with these results, the maximum standard deviation was 7g when treated with fungicide and minimum standard deviation were 2g (fungicide + insecticide).
Shoot biomass
Treatments did not contribute to the significant changes in shoot biomass. The means ranged from 7148 lb/ac (PN standard) to 8835 lb/ac (insecticide only).
Harvest Index (%)
Furthermore, harvest index wasn’t affected by foliar applications. Average value ranged from 28% (PN comp + N fixation) to 33% (PN standard).

View uploaded report PDF file

The study demonstrates that the late season treatments did not impact yield, shoot biomass and harvest index. The environmental conditions explored during the late part of the growing season affected the probability of response of our treatments. Thus, a final year with a potential for changing environmental conditions will assist on providing more conclusive results on this project.

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.