Research HighlightsResults from 2018 University Soybean Variety Trials Are Available
Variety selection is key to maximizing soybean yield potential. A recent publication from the Crop Protection Network called Considerations for Selecting Soybean Varieties outlines the factors to consider when selecting which soybean variety to plant.
A key consideration is to choose varieties that perform well in multi-location performance trials. High yields for two or more consecutive years or at several locations indicate stable performance, so look for 2- or 3-year averages, or regional averages. Performance at a single location has a very low predictive value and should not be relied upon for variety selection decisions.
It’s important to select a range of maturity groups and varieties that best match your production practices. A variety is classified to a specific maturity group (MG) according to the length of time from planting to maturity. Several factors affect this period of soybean development, including genetics, temperature, and total amount of sun. See Delineating Optimal Soybean Maturity Groups Across the United States for a recent description of soybean MG groups and adaptation zones.
Links to the following university and Extension soybean performance tests are available here
Crop Performance Tests for Iowa
Purdue Crop Performance Program (Indiana)
Illinois Soybean Variety Tests
Kansas Crop Performance Tests – includes some SCN and sudden death syndrome ratings
Michigan Soybean Variety Trials – includes company-provided SCN ratings
Minnesota State Variety Trials – includes chlorosis ratings and some SCN ratings
Missouri Soybean Performace Tests
North Dakota Soybean Variety Trials – includes chlorosis ratings and some SCN resistance testing
Ohio Soybean Performance Trials
Ontario, Canada Soybean Variety Trial – includes some ratings for white mold, SCN and Phytophthora
South Dakota Crop Variety Trials
Wisconsin Soybean Variety Trials – includes some ratings for white mold (see Table 2)
See also
SCN-resistant varieties for Iowa 2018 – PM 1649, updated annually. Iowa State University
Fewer But More Diverse Choices of SCN-resistant Soybean Varieties in 2019, Integrated Crop Management, Iowa State University
Published: Jan 9, 2019
