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Seed 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 seed production of soybean,
yet seed yield for a range of maturity groups grown in this environment is not
available.
APPROACH: Three Pioneer seed soybean varieties [(92B38,
92B84, 93B72) maturity groups 2.3, 2.8, 3.7] were evaluated for seed yield.
Seeding was done directly into wheat stubble on 17 June 2002 with a Great Plains
no-till drill with 15 in. row spacing. Seeding rate was 200,000 seeds/acre. To
evaluate effectiveness of using a stripper header for harvest, hand samples are
taken for yield prior to combine harvest in 3, 50 ft2 areas in each
variety, and seeds counted on the ground before and after combine harvest.
Combine yield is also measured over the entire 1.25 acre area for each variety.
RESULTS: No yield samples were obtained due to extreme
drought.
FUTURE PLANS: We will plant these varieties again to gain more experience
with soybeans in this environment, and to improve our use of the stripper header
with this crop. The author may be reached via e-mail at:
D.C. Nielsen
or phone: 970-345-2259. |