Priority Decisions for Soybean Production

Nowadays, producers are well aware of what they need to do to maximize soybean yield potential. However, reminders that can be checked from start to finish of the growing season may prove useful to pinpoint those areas that require special attention every year.

VARIETY SELECTION. Select varieties based on a combination of the below factors.

• Proven Yield Potential. Use variety trial information. Click here for MSSOY variety selection tool and here for links to the Midsouth states’ variety trial information.


• Maturity Group. Select based on desired length of growing season and drought and pest avoidance potential. Click here for details.


• Resistance to nematodes and selected diseases. For varietal reaction to pests, click here for Mississippi ratings and here for Arkansas ratings.


• Herbicide Resistance. For ratings of varietal susceptibility to metribuzin, click here. Use Liberty Link varieties as a component of HR (herbicide-resistant) weed management.

TILLAGE. Strive for a minimum/no tillage system. Use fall/spring tillage only where needed.

• For HR weed control. Tillage may be the only available remedy to control some HR weeds.


• To correct soil physical problems. Know the soil type/series to predict physical and/or chemical barriers to expansive root growth.


• Click here for help in deciding on tillage use and type. Use minimum or no tillage to reduce expenses, control erosion, and preserve surface residue.

 

FALL AND SPRING WEED BURNDOWN. Apply proper mix of spring burndown herbicides.

• Initial phase of HR weed management. Add residual herbicides for HR weed management in fields with known HR weeds. Click here for details.


• Recognize utility of fall-applied herbicides. Click here for details.


• Consider Herbicide MOA. Use burndown and residual herbicides with differing MOA’s. Click here for MOA details.

 

PLANTING DATE. Select based on the following factors.

• Match to estimated last spring frost date. Click here for details.


• Drought avoidance. Planting early avoids highest summer temperatures and driest summer period.


• Pest avoidance. Planting early can avoid late season insect and rust infestations.

 

SEED TREATMENTS. Select and apply seed treatments based on the following factors.

• Soil pest problems. Select materials that control diseases, insects, and nematodes that pose a potential threat to production in individual fields. Click here for seed treatment materials to use.


• First line of defense. Seed treatments will ensure that the effect of early-season pests are minimized and that an intended stand and maximum early-season growth are realized.

 

EARLY-SEASON WEEDS. Manage for early season weed escapes, especially of HR weeds.

• Control soon after planting. Needed to ensure minimum weed competition and maximum yield potential.

 

CONTROL INSECTS AND DISEASES.

• Especially after R1 in high-yield environments.


• Use thresholds for treatment decisions. Click here and here for up-to-date information.

 

IRRIGATION AFTER R1. Use Pipe Planner and other methods to conserve water and concurrently ensure maximum yield potential within water supply constraints.

NEMATODES. Sample to determine presence and species in order to determine control measures, and select resistant varieties.

• Sample in the fall soon after harvest. Click here for sampling protocol.


• Use variety trial results. Select varieties with known resistance to species and race that are present, or plan a rotational cropping system to avoid yield reductions.

 

SOIL FERTILITY. Maintain fertility levels, especially in high-yield environments.

• Sample in the fall after harvest. Click here for sampling protocol.


• Especially needed in high yield environments. Consistent high yields will remove significant amounts of fertilizer elements that must be replaced to maintain the fertility levels needed for continued high yields. Click here for details.

 

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, Revised Dec. 2015, larryheatherly@bellsouth.net