Glen Arnold, Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent
E. M. Lentz, Extension Agronomy Specialist
Anne Dorrance, State Soybean Pathologist
To evaluate the effect of seeding rate on white mold development in soybeans.
| Cooperator: | Dan Heitzman | Soil test: | pH 6.5, P 40 ppm, |
| County: | Putnam | K 125 ppm | |
| Nearest Town: | Continental | Fertilizer: | None |
| Drainage: | Natural | Planting Date: | June 3, 2002 |
| Soil type: | Silty clay loam | Planting Rate: | See below |
| Tillage: | Chisel plowed/disked | Row Width: | 15-inch |
| in the fall | Herbicides: | Boundary 2 pt/A | |
| Previous Crop: | Clover | Canopy 3.5 oz/A | |
| Variety: | TS 401 | Harvest Date: | October 17, 2002 |
Experimental design was a randomized complete block with three treatments replicated six times. Treatments were three seeding rates: 110,000; 165,000; and 225,000 seeds per acre. The plots were planted with a White 6100 planter. Individual planted plot size was approximately 1/4 acre. The soybeans were planted in 30-foot wide strips for a length of about 360 feet. Using a Gleaner L-3 combine, a 20-foot wide strip was harvested the length of the plot and weighed using a weigh wagon. Harvest population was estimated by counting soybean plants in four adjacent rows for a length of 50 feet.
Even though the field selected had a history of white mold, environmental conditions were not conducive for disease development. Thus, the results will only discuss the effects of seeding rate on grain yield.
Table 1. Soybean Yield and Harvest Population.a
| Seeding Rate | GrainYield | Harvest Population |
| (seeds/A) | (bu/A) | (plants/A) |
| 110,000 | 60.0 a | 95,774 a |
| 165,000 | 58.9 a | 124,349 b |
| 220,000 | 60.5 a | 175,895 c |
| LSD (0.05) | NS | 12,974 |
| F-test | <1 | 97 |
| a Means followed by the same letter in same column are not significantly different | ||
A uniform stand was achieved for all seeding rates due to adequate rainfall following planting. Drought conditions were not conducive to white mold development. The plot received less than eight inches of rainfall during the growing season. Final harvest populations were statistically different, but grain yields were not statistically different. Thus, according to this trial, seeding rates between 110,000 and 220,000 seeds/A had no effect on yield.
The authors would like to thank Dan Heitzman for cooperating in this study.
For additional information, contact:
Glen Arnold
Ohio State University Extension, Putnam County
219 South Oak Street
Ottawa, Ohio 45875
419-523-6294
arnold.2@osu.edu