Soybean Nutrient Studies

Soybean Farm Research Nutrient/Soil Fertility Studies

Farm research studies in this section include:  Liming/Chlorosis Studies, Nitrogen Application/Rate/Timing, New Products/Soil Amendments, and Other Nutrient Studies.

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Liming/Chlorosis Studies

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using lime on an acidic soil in corn/soybean rotations. 
Summary: A 2-ton lime application with a 7-year life expectancy was applied in spring 1995. A significant difference was detected between test weights at the 90% confidence level in 1995. In 1996, there was a significant difference in moisture content of seed at harvest. In 1997, the use of lime increased corn grain yield slightly. In 1998, lime increased seed yield of soybeans significantly; however, seed test weight was reduced. In 1999, lime reduced grain moisture at harvest and resulted in a slightly lower test weight. In 2000, the lime application resulted in higher seed yield, slightly higher moisture, and slightly higher seed test weight. In 2001, grain moisture was lower at harvest where lime had been applied. In 2002, seed yield of soybeans was increased significantly by lime. In 2003, grain yield of corn was increased and grain test weight was higher where lime had been applied. Seed yield was again higher in 2004 where lime had been applied in 1995. Lime application had no effect on corn in 2005; however, soil pH was still higher where lime had been applied. In 2006, soybean seed yield was signifcantly higher where lime had been applied.  the grain moisture of corn was significantly lower are harvest in 2007 where lime had been applied. Soil pH was higher in the fall of 2007 where lime had been applied and soybean seed yield in 2008 was significantly higher from lime application.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of incorporating versus not incorporating lime in a corn and soybean rotation.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using calcium sulfate to mediate iron chlorosis in soybeans and improve drainage in corn and soybean production.
Summary:  The application of calcium sulfate had no effect on the growth or yield of corn or soybeans in 2002 or 2003 in any of the studies. In the south field (King study), calcium sulfate had no effect on corn in 2004 & 2006 or on soybeans in 2005.  The treatment in the King study contained approximately 300 pounds of sulfur per ton.

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Nitrogen Rate/Application/Timing

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using 11-52-0 surface broadcast prior to planting in a corn and soybean rotation.
Summary: The application of 11-52-0 broadcast increased seed yield of soybeans in 1997 and 1999. Corn grain yields were increased by the 11-52-0 broadcast in 1998. In 2000, phosphorus broadcast increased grain yield (9 bu/ac) and test weight (0.4 lbs/bu). Tillage also increased grain yield (10 bu/ac) and reduced grain moisture at harvest slightly. In 2001 broadcast phosphorous increased the seed yield of soybeans 6 bu/ac. In 2002, broadcast phosphorus increased grain yield and test weight and reduced grain moisture at harvest. Tillage done in 2000 and 2001 resulted in reduced yields and grain moisture at harvest and increased test weights in 2002. Residual effects of phosphorus gave increased seed yield and a slight increase in seed moisture in 2003.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of late season nitrogen fertilizer application versus none in soybean production.
Summary:  The application of late season nitrogen fertilizer through a center pivot had no effect on soybean seed yield or seed moisture in 2000 or 2001.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of nitrogen sources and rates on soybean production.
Summary:  The application of nitrogen fertilizer on soybeans had no effect on growth or seed yield in 2001.

Objective:  Determine and document the profitability of starter-based fertilizer in soybeans.
Summary:  In 2006 the application of starter fertilizer resulted in a significant yield increase. Seed moisture and test weight were not affected.

  • 2006 L.Walla Saunders Co. Starter Fertilizer in Soybeans

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New Products and Soil Amendments

Objective:  Determine and document the profitability of using BTN+ Plant Food in Soybeans.
Summary:  During the 2006 growing season under center pivot irrigated soybeans the application of BTN+ at the rate of 2 & 4 gal/ac did not result in a significant increase in seed yield, seed oil, or seed protein content in comparison to the no BTN+ treatment in two studies but it did result in significant rainfed seed yield at the 90% confidence level for one study.  However, a highly significant reduction in plant population did occur at the V2 growth stage from the 4 gal/ac rate. At harvest, the reduction of plant population was highly significant for the 2 gal/ac rate and was further reduced by the 4 gal/ac rate, however yields were not reduced. Seed moisture and test weight were not affected by the application of BTN+ in two studies but seed test weight was slightly higher in one study at both 2 and 4 gallons/acre.

Objective:  Determine and document the profitability of Kickstand applied in furrow in soybeans.
Summary: The application of Kickstand in-furrow at planting did not significantly affect the growth of soybeans.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using APSA-80 soil conditioner and Nutriplant foliar treatment in soybean production.
Summary: Applied treatments had no effect on seed yield or seed moisture at harvest in 2007.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of soybean production using AVAIL phosphate fertilizer vs. commercial phosphorus fertilizer.
Summary: The application of AVAIL phosphate fertilizer had no effect on the seed yield of soybeans in 2008.

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Other Nutrient Studies

Objective:  Determine the profitability of phosphorus fertilizer placement in the production of corn and soybeans.
Summary:  The use of phosphorus fertilizer significantly increased grain yield in 1999. Broadcast application increased yield above the no phosphorus treatment, and banded application increased yield above the broadcast treatment. Test weight was increased by both phophorus treatments. There was no carryover effect on soybeans in 2000.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using phosphorus fertilizer versus no phosphorus fertilizer in soybean production.
Summary:  The yield for the phosphorus fertilizer treated soybeans was higher in all three years of this study.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of using potassium fertilizer in a corn and soybean rotation. 
Summary:  In 2001 potassium had no effect on corn growth and yield. Plant density was reduced very slightly. In 2002 soybean growth and seed yield were not affected by residual potassium applied in 2001. In 2003 the application of potassium increased grain test weight slightly. In 2004 residual potassium from 2003 had no effect on the growth and yield of soybeans.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of Manganese fertilizer on soybeans.
Summary: The application of manganese fertilizer did not increase seed yield significantly, however, seed moisture at harvest was increased.

Objective:  Determine the profitability of fertilizer treatment recommendation by two different soil laboratories. 
Summary:  In 2004, soybean growth was not influenced by fertilizer treatment. Corn growth was not affected by fertilizer treatment in 2005. In 2006, soybeans fertilized according to commercial laboratory yielded slightly more than the other treatments. Soybeans from plots that received only nitrogen on corn the previous year were slightly drier at harvest. In 2008, soybeans fertilized according to a commercial seed laboratory had wetter seed at harvest compared to UNL or none treatment.
 

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