2021
Strategies for Rescue of Nitrogen Deficient Soybeans
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Contributor/Checkoff:
South Carolina Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
GeneticsGenomicsSeed quality
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
$4,000
Institution Funded:
University of South Carolina
$4,000
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

• Determine the effectiveness of different rates of nitrogen application at rescuing nitrogen deficient soybeans
• Determine the profitability of nitrogen rescue treatment
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 or leaf nitrogen to prescribe rescue treatments.

Final Project Results

Updated January 17, 2022:

View uploaded report PDF file

Rescue application of nitrogen increases yield and profit in nitrogen deficient soybeans depending on current price conditions. We found that side dressing 40-50 pounds per acre of nitrogen before R1 stage is sufficient in many cases to raise leaf nitrogen levels to normal levels. Thus, identification of nitrogen deficient patches and a prescribed rescue application with variable rate technology has the potential to increase productivity and 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.