Agronomic Crops Team On-Farm Research Projects 2000

Special Circular 179-01

Effect of Early Planting on No-Till Soybean Yield

Steve D. Ruhl, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent

Objective

Planting soybeans early helps to spread out the spring workload for producers. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of early planting on yields of no-till soybeans.

Background

Cooperator: Tom Weiler County: Morrow Nearest town: Chesterville Drainage: Random tile, well-drained Soil Type: Chili loam Tillage: No-till Previous Crop: Corn Variety: Callahan 8367RR Soil test: pH 6.7, P 30 ppm, K 123 ppm

Fertilizer: None Planting Date: See Methods Planting Rate: 217,500 seeds/A Harvest Date: October 12, 2000 Herbicides: PRE - Canopy (3 oz./A), POST ­ Roundup Ultra plus AMS (1qt./A) Row width: 30 inch

Methods

Four planting dates were planned, but rains in late March prevented a late March planting date. Three dates (April 6, April 26, and May 8) were used. The plot was replicated four times in a complete randomized block design. Each treatment plot was 30-feet wide and approximately 2,000 feet long. The center 20 feet of each plot were harvested and weighed with a weigh wagon.

Results

Planting Date	Yield (bu/A)
April 6	41.0 ab
April 26	42.5 a
May 8	39.1 b
LSD (0.05)	2.3
CV	4.1%
Means followed by the same letter are not significantly different.

Summary

Yields from the April 26 planting were significantly better than those from the May 8 date. However, the two April dates did not produce significant differences in yield.

This is the third year the late March/April planting dates have provided favorable results. We have selected well-drained fields and used a soybean with a good, protective seed treatment each year. The results appear to support the idea that soybeans can be planted in late March and in April before corn planters are taken to the field. This expands the days available for spring planting activities.

Acknowledgment

Thanks to Royster Clark and Callahan Seeds for providing the soybeans used in this study.

For additional information, contact:

Steve Ruhl
Ohio State University Extension, Morrow County
871 W. Marion Rd., Suite 102
Mt. Gilead, OH 43338
419-947-1070
ruhl.1@osu.edu