• Soybeans
• Pulse Science Cluster
• Seeding
• Variety Development

Objective

To assess the overall adaptation of new soybean varieties and to improve agronomic recommendations for no-till soybean production in Saskatchewan.

Outcome

In 2014, three experiments were initiated in contrasting locations (Indian Head – thin black soil and Swift Current – brown soil) to evaluate soybean adaptation and improve regional recommendations for this crop. In the first trial, soybeans were planted alongside canola, field peas and faba beans at three seeding dates ranging from early/mid-May through early June. Soybean yields varied widely with environmental conditions, ranging from <500 kg/ha under severe drought to >2500 kg/ha under favourable conditions. While late maturity was occasionally a concern, low yields were more frequently attributable to a lack of moisture. As expected, soybeans were better adapted to the black soil zone; however, excellent yields were achieved in the brown soil zone with above-average precipitation. Seeding dates: mid- to late- May proved optimal; however, seeding earlier in May was preferable to June seeding. While yields were usually similar between the first two dates, soybeans seeded early in May took longer to emerge and there was virtually no maturity advantage. Late seeded soybeans consistently matured in fewer days, however yields suffered (14-20% reduction) from a shorter vegetative period and, occasionally, fall frost. Seeding depth (17-20 mm versus 33-38 mm): Although responses varied, when emergence, pod height, maturity, and yield were considered across all sites, the results favoured shallow seeding. Across sites and seeding rates, deeper seed placement led to 5% fewer plants, slightly reduced pod height, slightly later maturity, and 7% lower yields. Results differed in Indian Head in 2017 where, under dry conditions, there was an establishment and maturity advantage to deeper placement but no effect on yield. Seeding rate (7 treatments; 15-85 seeds/m2): The response was stronger than expected and higher plant populations tended to be optimal under low yielding conditions. Across sites, yields at 70 seeds/m2 were significantly higher than at any of the lower rates; however, at individual trials, yields frequently leveled off at 50-60 seeds/m2. Overall, a target of 55-60 seeds/m2 is recommended to ensure optimum yields across a wide range of environmental conditions. Slightly lower seeding rates may suffice under favorable growing conditions and, potentially, with later maturing soybean varieties. Row spacing: The response varied from year-to-year but, on average, there was a slight linear yield increase with increasing spacing (7% yield advantage at 61 cm versus 25 cm row spacing) despite higher seedling mortality. This was, however, primarily due to the response under stressful conditions and was likely due, in part, to better nodulation at wider row spacing. Under higher yielding conditions, there was either no row spacing effect or yields were slightly higher at the narrower, 25-31 cm, row spacing. Overall, this project provided information on the overall adaption and yield variability that might be expected with soybeans along with improved seeding date, depth, rate and row spacing recommendations.

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