2021
Evaluating Earlier Planting Dates for Increased Soybean Yields
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Contributor/Checkoff:
Maryland Soybean Board
Category:
Sustainable Production
Keywords:
DiseaseField management Pest
Parent Project:
This is the first year of this project.
Lead Principal Investigator:
Nicole Fiorellino, University of Maryland
Co-Principal Investigators:
Project Code:
3778419
Contributing Organization (Checkoff):
Maryland Soybean Board
$9,767
Institution Funded:
University of Maryland
$9,767
Brief Project Summary:

The start of indeterminate soybean reproductive stages depends on the detection of the length of night. Due to this, later-planted soybeans do not have as much time to develop leafy growth. Additional photosynthesis from leaves and nodes for pod production can mean additional yield, with more time to grow. However, issues with earlier planting have occurred where cooler, wetter soils slow germination, may cause seeds to rot and permit sudden death syndrome infection. This research compares new varieties of full-season soybeans planted on three different dates, evaluates plots for deficiencies and disorders, and compares tissue and soil contents to yield at the end of the season.

Key Benefactors:
farmers, agronomists, Extension agents

Information And Results
Project Deliverables

Final Project Results

Update:
We successfully wrapped up the 2021 growing season collecting tissue and soil samples as best as possible. With additional funding in 2022, we hope to draw appropriate conclusions based on multiple site years of data on the value of early planting on increasing yields and nutrient status of full season soybeans.

View uploaded report PDF file

After multiple years of this study, we plan to provide soybean farmers with updated recommendations on planting date for soybeans, namely across different maturity groups. As production systems shift with the increasingly unpredictable spring weather, farmers are looking for guidance on how they may change planting date to increase resiliency and productivity of their operations – by maintaining or increasing soybean yields.

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.