Database Research Summaries2018 Soybean seeding rate, nutrient input and management intensity interaction studies
Research Focus
The focus of this project is to enhance the efficiency of soybean producers’ nutrient applications to the crop and simultaneously improve both the production and profitability of Michigan agriculture.
Objectives
- Determine the mineral nutrition needs of soybean as affected by seeding rate.
- Determine the individual impact of agronomic inputs on soybean production in high and low-input management systems.
- Determine the effects of chicken manure rate the year after application for both soybean and corn grain production and crop revenue.
Results
- The 2016 and 2017 growing seasons did not produce a significant positive response to poultry litter, potassium thiosulfate, foliar micronutrients, or fungicide. In addition, results indicated a soybean intensive management system utilizing prophylactic applications of multiple inputs was not an economic benefit to producers.
- Data from the 3 site-years of this trial appears to provide continued support for the use of university IPM programs that emphasize both grain yield and profitability. Michigan soybean producers should look to incorporate a management system that utilizes a variety of different techniques (e.g. tissue and soil analysis, crop scouting, prediction models) to minimize and validate input applications to match specific crop needs and maximize profitability rather than applying a combination of inputs as risk insurance.
- No single input added generated a significant grain yield increase or positive return on investment.
- Traditional management on average significantly increased producer return on investment by $213.
- Minimal potential for grain yield and economic benefit from intensive soybean management without adverse environmental conditions.
Importance
- The long-term goal of this research is to enhance the efficiency of soybean producers’ nutrient applications to the crop and simultaneously improve both the production and profitability of Michigan agriculture.
- These projects will also serve as a tool for soybean producers’ to utilize when making nutrient investment decisions.
For more information about this research project, please visit the National Soybean Checkoff Research Database.
Funded in part by the soybean checkoff.
