Selecting Soybean Seed for 2021 Plantings

Selection of seed for planting the next year’s crop is arguably the most important decision made by soybean producers. This is especially so because of the myriad herbicide tolerance traits (HTT) contained in available varieties. This, coupled with the presence of and problems resulting from herbicide-resistant (HR) weeds, makes the seed choice increasingly important with each passing year.

The year 2020 brought another variable to the table–i.e., the de-labeling of dicamba herbicide for use on dicamba-tolerant (DT) soybean varieties. Since a significant portion of the U.S. soybean crop is now planted to DT varieties, and a large percentage of the seed available for 2021 plantings will be of varieties with the DT trait, this creates a dilemma for producers as they decide what varieties to plant in 2021.

As shown in a summary of herbicide-tolerance traits in 2020 offerings from selected seed companies (updated version appended below), there were numerous HTT choices for producers to select from. As of this writing, the HTT’s shown in the appended article should be available in varieties for 2021 plantings. However, the de-labeling of dicamba herbicides for use on DT varieties will devalue this trait unless a new label is approved between now and 2021 planting time. According to knowledgeable sources, there is a good chance there will be new labels for dicamba use on DT/Xtend varieties in 2021. Those labels will likely be available in the coming weeks/months.

According to information from Bayer contained here, XtendFlex soybean varieties are expected soon. These varieties will be tolerant to dicamba, glyphosate, and glufosinate. XtendFlex soybeans have received full approval for U.S. plantings, but are pending approval in certain export markets. EU approval for the XtendFlex trait is expected in the near future. Commercial availability of these varieties in 2021 is dependent on this regulatory approval. Thus, it is anticipated that this new offering–i.e. seed of varieties with tolerance to dicamba, glyphosate, and glufosinate–will be available for 2021 plantings. So even if a new label for dicamba products is not forthcoming, XtendFlex varieties will still have a viable in-season herbicide option.

Points to consider from this time forward are:

•   Producers are reminded that “no dicamba may be used in-crop with Xtend or XtendFlex soybeans unless and/or until approved, and no dicamba formulations are currently registered for such use in the 2021 season” according to the Bayer source.

•   Varieties with the GT27 herbicide tolerance trait (see below) may not be available for planting at all Midsouth locations. Contact info@gt27soybeans.com for updates on this.

•   XtendFlex (XF) varieties will be available for 2021 planting only if regulatory approvals are forthcoming.

•   It is imperative that producers stay in contact with their seed supplier to 1) keep up with the latest developments regarding dicamba labels and availability of seed of XtendFlex varieties that are tolerant to dicamba herbicides, and 2) determine the availability of seed of Enlist varieties that are tolerant to the auxin herbicide 2,4-D and might be used in lieu of Xtend and XtendFlex varieties if a new dicamba label is not issued.

• Producers are also encouraged to read the DTN article by Emily Unglesbee titled “EPA’s Dicamba To-Do List” for the latest information on the dicamba berbicide re-registration process and Bayer’s Plant with Confidence Program that will help farmers if dicamba herbicide products are not available for over-the-top applicatons in 2021.

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, Sept. 2020, larryheatherly@bellsouth.net

ACCESSING PRIVATE COMPANIES’ SOYBEAN VARIETY TRAIT DATA

In a White Paper on this website, links to Midsouth states’ soybean official variety trial (SOVT) results are provided. A brief summary of the traits and disease reactions that are measured or rated in each state’s trials is provided.

For varieties available from private seed companies, knowledge about varietal traits in addition to those listed in the individual SOVT’s is often available. This additional information often can be found on each company’s website.

The below links are provided to access sekected companies’ websites where their soybean variety guide is located. A brief guide for each of these websites is provided to assist in gaining the quickest access to the available information.

Definitions of abbreviated herbicide tolerance traits used by the various companies are:

•    RR, GT = Roundup Ready, glyphosate-tolerant (tolerant to glyphosate herbicide)

•    RR2 = Roundup Ready 2 (tolerant to glyphosate herbicide)

•    RR2Y = Roundup Ready 2 Yield (tolerant to glyphosate herbicide)

•    RR2X = Roundup Ready 2 Yield Xtend (tolerant to glyphosate and dicamba herbicides)

•    LL = Liberty Link (tolerant to glufosinate herbicide)

•    STS or SR = sulfonylurea-tolerant or sulfonylurea-ready [tolerant to sulfonyl-urea (ALS inhibitor) herbicides]

•    E3 = Enlist E3 (tolerant to 2,4-D choline, glyphosate, and glufosinate herbicides)

•    CONV = Conventional (no herbicide tolerance)

•    GT27 = tolerant to Group 27 herbicide Alite 27, the only Group 27 herbicide labeled for application to these varieties

•    XF = XtendFlex (tolerant to glyphosate, glufosinate, and dicamba herbicides–forthcoming)

•    (Note: not all companies have variety offerings with all herbicide tolerance traits).

Asgrow Soybean Varieties. Enter zip code for location and select crop (soybeans), then click on Search box. Indicate relative maturity (RM) range of interest on the sliding bar scale. A complete list of varieties in that RM range will appear. The RM and HTT (RR2X, RR2X/SR, XF/SR) of each variety appear directly beneath the variety name. Click “View Profile” under each variety to see all of the trait ratings associated with that variety.

Syngenta (NK) Soybean Varieties. Enter desired Relative Maturity (RM) range in left box, then click “Find Products”. A list of varieties in that RM range will be accessed. The HTT (RR2Y, RR2X, RR2X/STS, E3, E3/STS, LL/GT27, LL/GT27/STS) of each variety appears under the variety name. Click “Product Details” and “Tech Sheet” under each variety for additional traits of that variety.

Pioneer Soybean Varieties. Enter location (e.g. Stoneville, MS) in far right search box. This brings up a variety list. Click on variety name to retrieve the complete list of traits for the selected variety. HTT (GT, RR2Y, RR2X, E3, LL, Bolt RR2X, E3/STS, RR2X/STS) is shown in the list of traits for a particular variety. The Relative Maturity (RM) range can be narrowed by clicking “Show Filters” and entering the desired RM range.

Armor Soybean Varieties. Under Products, click “Beans”. Click the box with the desired HTT (GT, RR2X, RR2Y, XF, E3) to get a list of varieties with that trait. Click “Tech Sheet” under a variety name to see a complete list of traits for that variety.

Morsoy Soybean Varieties. This goes directly to a table of varieties with HTT (RR2, RR2/STS, RR/STS, CONV) shown beneath the variety name. Click on “Read More” beneath each variety name to access additional traits for that variety.

Dyna-Gro Soybean Varieties. Under “Products”, click on “Soybeans”. Enter the desired Maturity Range in indicated boxes, then click a box next to the desired HTT (CONV, E3, RR2Y/STS, LL, LL/STS, LL/GT27, RR2X, RR2X/STS). Enter “Soybeans” in Search Products box. This brings up a list of varieties with that HTT within the designated Maturity Range. Click on a variety to get a complete list of traits for that variety.

Credenz (BASF) Soybean Varieties (South). This accesses a list of Credenz soybean varieties for the South. A list of varieties appears, along with their agronomic traits and HTT (LL/GT27, LL, RR2X). BASF will also market Xitavo soybean seed with Enlist E3 technology in 2021.

Delta Grow Soybean Varieties. This goes to the company’s home page. Click “Seed Brochure” under “Our Seed Services” to access the soybean product guide that contains a compilation of their varieties along with each one’s traits, including HTT’s (RR2Y, RR2Y/STS, LL/STS, RR2X, RR2X/STS, E3, E3/STS).

Progeny Soybean Varieties. Click on “Seed Guide” under Soybeans, then click on either the desired HTT (CONV, LL/STS, RR2X, RR2X/STS, E3, E3/STS, XF) to get a list of all varieties with that trait, or on “Toggle Specs” beside an individual variety to view agronomic traits and HTT for that variety.

Brevant (formerly Mycogen) Soybean Varieties. Click Products and Select Soybeans, then indicate the desired Relative Maturity range. The exact location to be planted can also be designated for a narrower search. Click on “Select Traits” to narrow the search by HTT (E3, LL, RR2X). Clicking on a variety name in the list will show traits and disease tolerances for that variety.

AgVenture Soybean Products. Under “Products”, click “Soybean”. This goes directly to a table of varieties. Click on an individual variety name to view agronomic traits and HTT [CONV, RR (GT), GT/Bolt, RR2Y, RR2X, E3, LL, CONV/STS] associated with that variety.

LG Seeds. Clicking this link goes directly to a list of all LG soybean varieties. The list can be narrowed by designating the HTT (CONV, RR2Y, RR2X, E3, XF) in the Technology box and by sliding the indicators on the Maturity bar to the desired Maturity Range. Click on a particular variety to access all traits associated with that variety.

Nutech Seed. Clicking this link goes directly to the company’s list of available soybean varieties with their accompanying Maturity and HTT (CONV, E3). Click on an individual variety name to see the additional traits of that variety.

Croplan. Click on “Soybean” in the top bar. Indicate the desired Maturity Range on the sliding bar, then click “Search for Seed”. This accesses a list of varieties with the HTT (RR2Y, RR2X, LL, E3, LL/GT27) listed beneath the variety name. Click on an individual variety name to access a complete list of traits associated with that variety.

USG-UniSouth Genetics. Under Products, click “Soybeans”. This accesses a list of HTT’s (CONV, E3, LL, LL/GT27, RR2Y, RR2X, GT, XF). Click on one of the HTT’s to see varieties with that trait. Click on one of the varieties to see additional traits associated with that variety.

The above links, directions, and descriptions are valid as of Sept. 2020. The offerings of each company may change with time between now and 2021 planting. Midsouth varieties’ sensitivity to metribuzin can be found here.

Composed by Larry G. Heatherly, Updated Sept. 2020, larryheatherly@bellsouth.net