Research Progress Report 355
April, 1969
Soybean Varieties for Indiana in 1969(1)
A.H. Probst, F.A. Laviolette, J. R. Wilcox and K.L. Athow
USDA, Agronomy, and Botany and Plant Pathology
Introduction
Choosing good seed of the right soybean variety is a highly important step in profitable soybean production.
Soil conditions, rotations, and time of planting are important considerations in choosing a variety. The same variety usually matures earlier on sandy soils than on "clay", loam, or muck soils. If wheat is to follow soybeans in the rotation, a moderately early-maturing soybean variety for the area should be grown. When soybean planting is delayed unduly, early-maturing varieties usually will give maximum yields and mature sufficiently early for combining in good weather.
Generally, the variety that matures latest without frost injury will give maximum yields under most conditions. The use of two or more varieties differing in maturity is important when a large acreage is grown. This helps to reduce production hazards because of extremes in weather during the growing and harvesting season.
Characteristics
Characteristics of a number of varieties, arranged in order of maturity from earliest to latest, are given in Table 1, and yield re-results in Table 2. These varieties are all satisfactory in oil content and are non-shattering under normal growth and harvest conditions. A careful study of these tables will help you decide on varieties best suited for your farm.
The yield tests were conducted in 16-foot, one-row plots spaced 38 or 40 inches apart. Each variety was replicated four times at each location each year. Fertility level of the plots varied from medium to very high at different locations each year. In most tests fertilizer was plowed down with an additional amount of a recommended analysis added in the row. The plots were kept near weed-free. At harvest plants were cut at about two inches above ground level with a small cutter and threshed with an 18-inch cylinder, self-cleaning, experimental-plot thresher.
1/ Cooperative investigations of the Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station. Publication No. 561 of the U.S. Regional Soybean Laboratory, Urbana, Illinois.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY • Agricultural Experiment Station • Lafayette, Indiana