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Forage Yield of Several Soybean Varieties
D.C. Nielsen
PROBLEM: Diversifying dryland production systems in the
central Great Plains requires knowledge regarding the productivity of
alternative crops. Producers have shown interest in forage production of
soybean, yet forage yield and quality information are not available.
APPROACH: One commercial (Donegal) and seven experimental
forage soybean varieties along with one commercial maturity group 7 seed variety
were evaluated for forage yield and quality. Seeding was done on 18 June 2002
with a Great Plains no-till drill with 15 in. row spacing and at a rate of
200,000 seeds/a. Varieties were planted over an irrigation gradient to provide a
range of available water conditions.
RESULTS: Drought, poor stand establishment, poor weed
control, and hail resulted in no yield data being collected in 2002.
FUTURE PLANS: Field trials of experimental forage soybean varieties will
continue as seed is made available through Dr. Tom Devine, USDA-ARS, Beltsville,
MD. Comparisons will be made with the commercial forage variety and the
commercial group 7 seed variety. The author may be reached via e-mail at:
D.C. Nielsen
or phone: 970-345-2259. |