Items of Interest to Soybean Producers
This article contains links to/summaries of information that should be of interest to Midsouth soybean producers. The below information presents recent developments that could affect how soybean producers manage their future crops.
In a previous article posted on this website, the following statements were made.
• During the growing season, nutrient deficiencies in soybean are sometimes observed.
• The question that is often asked is “Can an in-season nutrient deficiency be remedied by the foliar application of the deficient nutrient”?
• The obvious next question is “Will a foliar application of the deficient nutrient increase yield, or rather will it increase yield enough to pay for the application”?
• Application of deficient nutrients on the plant’s foliage during the growing season will not likely result in sufficient uptake of those nutrients in an amount that will provide a profitable response.
• Even though nutrient deficiencies may occur during the growing season, the best remedy is to apply the correct amount of fertilizer based on soil test results before planting the next crop so that the deficient nutrient becomes available for uptake by the plant’s root system during the following growing season.
A soon-to-be-published article titled “Foliar Fertilizers Rarely Increase Yield in US Soybean” will appear in Agronomy Journal (https://doi.org/10.1002/agj2.20889) and provides solid evidence that confirms the above statements. Pertinent details from that article follow.
• Studies were conducted in 2019 and 2020 at 46 sites in 16 US states.
• Six foliar nutrient products were applied to soybeans at growth stage R3 at each site.
• Visual symptoms of nutrient deficiency were not present at any of the sites prior to application of foliar fertilizers.
• The results from this study provide no evidence that seed of soybeans that receive foliar fertilizer applications will have protein or oil content that differs from seed of soybeans that did not receive foliar fertilizer.
• All differences in seed yield among treatments and the untreated control were not statistically different, and the yield response to foliar fertilizer application was uniform across the 46 site-years.
• The results from this multi-year, multi-state study provide no evidence that foliar fertilizer application to soybeans in the absence of visual symptoms of nutrient deficiency will increase soybean yield.
• The absence of a yield response to the treatments, plus the additional cost incurred from the application of the foliar fertilizer products, indicate that there is a strong likelihood that producer profitability will be lowered by this practice.
• These results can be summarized as follows. Application of foliar fertilizer to soybeans 1) will not likely increase seed yield or change seed composition, and 2) will likely decrease producer profits.
In an Oct. 21, 2021 FarmProgress article titled “Hybrid Approach Opens Acceptance of Biologicals” by Willie Vogt, a new fungicide called Regev from STK bio-ag technologies is described. This product combines a common synthetic pesticide–difenoconazole, a G1 triazole (FRAC code 3) fungicide–with the biological natural chemical found in tea tree oil, an F7 (FRAC code 46) fungicide. This product is a “bridge solution”, or a pesticide formulation with a dual mode of action that combines synthetic and biological components into a single product. STK states that “integrating biologics into conventional spraying programs is the next logical revolution in enabling food growers in all sectors and geographies to meet market demand...”. Producers are encouraged to inquire about this product and determine if it will be sufficiently efficacious against common fungal pests of soybeans.
Much has been written about carbon sequestration, which is the long-term removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. Modification of agricultural practices has been touted as a method to enhance carbon sequestration because the soil is considered an available reservoir for CO2 deposition. This is especially significant since most cropland soils are depleted of soil organic carbon.
To help producers understand what can be done to enhance carbon sequestration, and how to leverage conservation practices that are adopted for this purpose into financial compensation, the Soy Checkoff and the American Soybean Association are sponsoring a webinar provided free by FarmProgress. The title of the webinar is “Carbon Sequestration and What It Means to Your Farm”, and is available on-demand once registered here.
Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, Oct. 2021, larryh91746@gmail.com