Key Steps to Maximize Yield:
Soybean Variety Selection
- Match an appropriate variety to fit specific field conditions taking into consideration geographic location, expected rainfall, soil type, tillage system, drainage, and diseases.
Resistance or field tolerance to Phytophthora root rot, iron deficiency chlorosis, specific races of SCN, or other diseases may be essential to achieving high soybean yields in a particular field.
2012 side-by-side comparison of non-treated soybeans vs. EverGol Energy + FST/IST + PPST 2030 in Johnston, IA.
Pioneer Premium Seed Treatment with EverGol™ Energy
Pioneer Premium Seed Treatment contains active ingredients that protect soybeans from seed- and soilborne diseases caused by Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium spp., Pythium spp., and Phomopsis longicolla.
PPST with EverGol Energy showed a positive yield advantage over a non-treated check in 47 of 57 research locations from 2010 to 2012, a win rate of 82%.
The 3-year average soybean yield advantage for PPST with EverGol Energy was 1.34 bu/acre over the non-treated check across all 57 locations.
Seeding Rate
- Soybeans have some ability to compensate for reduced stands; however, too much reliance on this ability can lead to poor stands and limit top-end yield potential.
- Other benefits of higher planting rates include:
- Quicker shading of the ground
- Reduces reflective heat coming off hot soils that can inhibit tender seedling growth.
- Reduces the effect of early weed competition.
- Lowers the rate of soil moisture evaporation.
- Quicker shading of the ground
- Helps prevent potential yield reductions or replanting when seedbed conditions, weather, or pests are likely to reduce stands.
- Has shown a benefit in reducing iron deficiency chlorosis on high pH soils.
Optimum economic seeding rates at soybean market prices of $10, $12, and $15/bu and a $60/unit seed cost based on DuPont Pioneer research conducted across 9 locations in IA, IL, IN, MN, and NE.
(Research trials were planted in 30-inch rows, economic optimum seeding rates would be expected to be greater in narrow rows.)
Weed Control
- Eliminate weed competition early. Glyphosate-resistant weeds are becoming increasingly common.
- Use a preemergence herbicide with residual activity to reduce early season weed competition with the crop.
- Additional postemergence herbicides may also be necessary to prevent escapes of weeds not controlled by glyphosate. Apply postemergence treatments at the recommended weed size according to herbicide label guidelines.
- Include multiple modes of action in a herbicide program.
Product responses are variable and subject to many factors including soil type, management practices and environmental stress as well as disease and pest pressures. Individual results may vary.