Enhanced Management for

Increased Soybean Yield

Ross Bender, PhD

Senior Agronomist
The Mosaic Company

Louisiana Agricultural Technology and Management Conference; Marksville, LA

 Closing the Yield Gap
Yield:* Yield:** Yield:
Crop Record US Avg ‘Gap’
-------------------------Yield (Bu Ac-1) -------------------------
Corn 532 168 364
Soybean 161 48 113
Wheat 246 43 203
*Kip Cullers (MO, USA), David Hula (VA, USA), Tim Lamyman (UK).
**USDA-NASS, 2015.

2
3
 Corn and Soybean Yield Progress
180
Corn Yield
160
Soybean Yield
Grain Yield (Bu/Ac)

140 Corn: 2.04 bu acre-1 yr-1 (1950-2015)

Soybean: 0.41 bu acre-1 yr-1 (1924-2015)
120

100

80

60

40

20

0
1860 1880 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020

Source: USDA-NASS Year

 Crucial Prerequisites,
but not Secrets of Success
•Drainage
•Weed Control
•Proper Soil pH
5
The Six Secrets of Soybean Success
Rank Factor
1 Weather
2
3
4
5
6
Given key prerequisites

6
The Six Secrets of Soybean Success
Rank Factor
1 Weather
2 Fertility
3
4
5
6
Given key prerequisites

7
Perception of Soybean Fertilization
Past: “from the standpoint of removal
… soybeans are ‘hard on the land’ …
and would be classed as a crop that
rapidly depletes soil bases” including
K, Ca, and Mg
Hammond et al., 1951
Current: Often grown in rotation with
corn; scavenge residual fertilizer or
mine existing soil reserves
Nutrient Uptake & Removal: 60 Bushel Soybean
Required Removed Harvest
Nutrient to Produce with Grain Index
lb acre-1 %
N 245 179 73
P2O5 43 35 81
K2O 170 70 46
S 17 10 61
Zn (oz) 4.8 2.0 44
B (oz) 4.6 1.6 34
Bender et al., 2015. Agronomy Journal (107:563-573)
9
 P and K Uptake & Removal: Soybean vs Corn

Required Removed Remain in

Nutrient
to Produce with Grain Stover
Corn Soy Corn Soy Corn Soy
lb acre-1

P2O5 101 43 80 35 21 8
K2O 180 170 56 70 124 100
Soybean: Bender et al., 2015. Agronomy Journal (107:563-573)
Corn: Bender et al., 2013. Agronomy Journal (105:161-170)
 Potassium Uptake in Soybean: 60 Bu/Ac
100
168
Grain Key Points:
Flowers, Pods
K Uptake (lb K2O ac-1)

140 • K is critical for

Percent of Total (%)

80
Stem, Petioles
Leaves enzymes, water
112
60 relations, etc.
84 • Max uptake rate
40 of 3.5 lbs K2O/
56 Ac/Day (50 days)

28
20 • Stems serve as
important
0 0 reservoirs for
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 extra K
Days After Planting
• Non-grain K
Planting V3 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8
returned to soil
Growth Stage 11

Bender et al., 2015. Agronomy Journal (107:563-573)

 P and K Uptake & Removal: Soybean vs Corn

Required Removed Remain in

Nutrient
to Produce with Grain Stover
Corn Soy Corn Soy Corn Soy
lb acre-1

P2O5 101 43 80 35 21 8
K2O 180 170 56 70 124 100
Soybean: Bender et al., 2015. Agronomy Journal (107:563-573)
Corn: Bender et al., 2013. Agronomy Journal (105:161-170)
 Phosphorus Uptake in Soybean: 60 Bu/Ac
100
40 Grain Key Points:
Flowers, Pods
P Uptake (lb P2O5 ac-1)

• 45% of P uptake

Percent of Total (%)

80
Stem, Petioles
32
Leaves during seed-fill
60 • Rapid uptake for
24
70 days straight
40
16 • 80% partitioned
to grain, removed
8 20
• Large demand for
P during seed-fill
0 0 means soybean
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
needs P each
Days After Planting year, not
biennially
Planting V3 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8
Growth Stage 13

Bender et al., 2015. Agronomy Journal (107:563-573)

Nutrient Uptake & Removal: 60 Bushel Soybean
Required Removed Harvest
Nutrient to Produce with Grain Index
lb acre-1 %
N 245 179 73
P2O5 43 35 81
K2O 170 70 46
S 17 10 61
Zn (oz) 4.8 2.0 44
B (oz) 4.6 1.6 34
Bender et al., 2015. Agronomy Journal (107:563-573)
14
Reduced Atmospheric Deposition of S

1989 *Data represents sulfur

ion concentration of
precipitation.

Data courtesy of National Atmospheric Deposition

Program/National Trends Network
(http://nadp.isws.illinois.edu)
 Sulfur Uptake in Soybean: 60 Bu/Ac
100
15 Grain
Flowers, Pods Key Points:

Percent of Uptake (%)

S Uptake (lb S ac-1)

80
Stem, Petioles
12
Leaves • Season-long
60 uptake of S
9

40
• Sulfate S: early
6 season needs;
Elemental S: late
20
3 season needs

0 0 • Needed in the
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 grain for amino
Days After Planting acid development

Planting V3 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8
Growth Stage 16

Bender et al., 2015. Agronomy Journal (107:563-573)

Soybean Plants Respond to Fertility
MicroEssentialsSZ: Untreated:
22.5 lbs N
75 lbs P2O5
18.8 lbs S
1.9 lbs Zn

Champaign, IL 2014 17
The Six Secrets of Soybean Success
Rank Factor
1 Weather
2 Fertility
3 Genetics/Variety
4
5
6
Given key prerequisites

18
 Does Variety Selection Matter?
Variety Yield Variety Yield Variety Yield
bu acre-1 bu acre-1 bu acre-1

1 69.5 7 78.4 13 84.8

2 72.7 8 80.1 14 85.5
3 73.6 9 82.3 15 87.1
4 74.9 10 83.1 16 87.5
5 76.5 11 83.3 17 89.0
6 78.4 12 84.1
17 varieties with high-input management at Champaign, IL 2015.
19
 Does Variety Selection Matter?
MG Yield MG Yield MG Yield
bu acre-1 bu acre-1 bu acre-1

3.0 69.5 2.9 78.4 3.9 84.8

2.5 72.7 3.7 80.1 3.8 85.5
2.5 73.6 3.6 82.3 3.8 87.1
2.9 74.9 3.7 83.1 3.3 87.5
2.6 76.5 3.1 83.3 3.5 89.0
2.8 78.4 3.1 84.1
17 varieties with high-input management at Champaign, IL 2015.
20
The Six Secrets of Soybean Success
Rank Factor
1 Weather
2 Fertility
3 Genetics/Variety
4 Foliar Protection
5
6
Given key prerequisites

21
 Soybean Yield Components

Yield = Pod number/acre x

Seeds per pod x
Weight per seed

22
The Legendary 5-Bean Pod

Champaign, 2013

23
 Soybean Yield Components

Yield = Pod number/acre x

Seeds per pod x
Weight per seed

24
The Six Secrets of Soybean Success
Rank Factor
1 Weather
2 Fertility
3 Genetics/Variety
4 Foliar Protection
5
6
Given key prerequisites

25
 Soybean Yield Components

Yield = Pod number/acre x

Seeds per pod x
Weight per seed

26
How Does Pod Number Effect Soybean Yield?
3.0
Pod Number (per node)
2.5

2.0
Average Yield:
(50 Bushels)
1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
0 5 10 15 20

Node Number
27

Average of two varieties at two Illinois locations during 2012 and 2013.
How Does Pod Number Effect Soybean Yield?
3.0
Pod Number (per node)
2.5 Higher Yield:
(62 Bushels)
2.0
Average Yield:
(50 Bushels)
1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
0 5 10 15 20

Node Number
28

Average of two varieties at two Illinois locations during 2012 and 2013.
The Six Secrets of Soybean Success
Rank Factor
1 Weather
2 Fertility
3 Genetics/Variety
4 Foliar Protection
5 Seed Treatment
6
Given key prerequisites

29
Impact of Seed Treatment on Emergence

Courtesy of AJ Woodyard (BASF)

Untreated Fungicide, Insecticide,

Nematicide
30
Impact of Seed Treatment on Soybean Growth

31
The Six Secrets of Soybean Success
Rank Factor
1 Weather
2 Fertility
3 Genetics/Variety
4 Foliar Protection
5 Seed Treatment
6 Row Arrangement
Given key prerequisites

32
Row Spacing Impacts Light Interception,
Air Canopy Movement

30” Rows 20” Rows

33
 Soybean Management Trials DeKalb
(42°N)

2015 Research Trials:

• 6-7 plots at 3 locations
• Reference: (Marksville, LA: 31°N)
• Banded phosphate (Mosaic’s
MicroEssentials SZ) or broadcast Champaign
(40°N)
potassium (Mosaic’s Aspire), or both
• Different company seed (Monsanto,
Syngenta, Winfield) and foliar
protection products (BASF or
Syngenta)
• Normal and full maturity variety
Harrisburg
• All in 30 inch vs 20 inch rows, at a (37°N)

seeding rate of 160,000 plants/acre

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 Narrow Row Spacing Increases Yield

Location 30” 20” Δ

-----------------------------bu Ac-1 -----------------------------

DeKalb 61.7 69.6 +7.9*

Champaign 84.7 93.2 +8.5*
Harrisburg 77.5 80.0 +2.5
Average 74.6 80.9 +6.3*
* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.01. Average of 7 Trials at 3 locations during 2015.

35
 Standard vs High Tech System - 2015
Phosphorus P applied year before to corn
75 lbs P2O5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn)
Banded 4-6” under row at planting
Potassium K applied year before to corn
75 lbs K2O as Aspire (K & B)
Broadcast and incorporated at planting
P and K P & K applied year before to corn
MESZ and Aspire applied as above

Foliar Protection No foliar protection

Fungicide and Insecticide at R3

Seed Treatment Untreated or Fungicide only

Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide
Row Arrangement 30 inch row spacing
20 inch row spacing
36
 Narrow Rows Magnify Value of Management

Row High Increase from

Standard Management
Space Tech
inches ----------------------------- bu Ac-1 -----------------------------

30 70.7 77.8 +7.1*

20 74.3 85.4 +11.1*
Increase from
20 inch rows +3.6* +7.6*
* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.01. Average of 7 Trials at 3 locations during 2015.
37
 Standard vs High Tech System - 2015
Phosphorus P applied year before to corn
75 lbs P2O5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn)
Banded 4-6” under row at planting
Potassium K applied year before to corn
75 lbs K2O as Aspire (K & B)
Broadcast and incorporated at planting
P and K P & K applied year before to corn
MESZ and Aspire applied as above

Foliar Protection No foliar protection

Fungicide and Insecticide at R3

Seed Treatment Untreated or Fungicide only

Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide
Row Arrangement 30 inch row spacing
20 inch row spacing
38
 Soybean Omission Plot Design
MANAGEMENT FACTORS
Treatment Phosphate Potassium P&K Foliar Protec Seed treatment
HIGH TECH Yes Yes Yes Yes Full
-Phosphate None Yes Yes Yes Full
-Potassium Yes None Yes Yes Full
Technology
Decrease

-P and K Yes Yes None Yes Full

-Foliar Protection Yes Yes Yes None Full
-Seed Treatment Yes Yes Yes Yes Basic
TRADITIONAL None None None None Basic
+Phosphate Yes None None None Basic
Add Technology

+Potassium None Yes None None Basic

+P and K None None Yes None Basic
+Foliar Protection None None None Yes Basic
+Seed Treatment None None None None Full
Treatments evaluated in 30 and 20 inch row spacing across two varieties.
39
Yield Increases with Standard Management

Factor Yield ∆
-----------------------------------------------------------------bu Ac-1 --------------------------------------------------

Standard 70.7
+P (MESZ, with S & Zn) 76.5 +5.8*
+K (Aspire, with B) 70.1 -0.6
+P & K (MESZ + Aspire) 74.2 +3.5*
+Foliar (Fung + Insect) 73.8 +3.1*
+Seed Trt (Fung+Insec+Nem) 72.3 +1.6
* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.01. Average of 7 Trials at
3 locations during 2015. Responses shown in 30” rows.
40
Yield Increases with High Tech Management

Factor Yield ∆
-----------------------------------------------------------------bu Ac-1 --------------------------------------------------

High Tech 85.4

-P (MESZ, with S & Zn) 80.5 -4.9*
-K (Aspire, with B) 87.0 +1.6
-P & K (MESZ + Aspire) 80.6 -4.8*
-Foliar (Fung + Insect) 82.9 -2.5
-Seed Trt (Fung+Insec+Nem) 82.6 -2.8*
* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.01. Average of 7 Trials at
3 locations during 2015. Responses shown in 20” rows.
41
 Overall Effect of Management in 2015
Standard High Tech
Factor Yield ∆ Yield ∆
----------------------------------------------------------------------------bu Ac-1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

High Tech 70.7 85.4

-P 76.5 +5.8* 80.5 -4.9*
-K 70.1 -0.6 87.0 +1.6
-P & K 74.2 +3.5* 80.6 -4.8*
-Foliar 73.8 +3.1* 82.9 -2.5
-Seed Trt 72.3 +1.6 82.6 -2.8*
* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.01. Average of 7 Trials at 3 locations during 2015.
42
Agronomic Management of Soybean - Conclusions
• For maximum soybean yield, a system’s
approach is needed which combines genetic,
agronomic, and plant nutrition factors with
known impacts on soybean productivity.
• Nutrients with high requirements for
production, high harvest index values, or
unique uptake patterns such as N, P, K, S, Zn,
and B are critical for high yields.
• Not all nutrients are accumulated at the same
time or used in the same way.
43
Agronomic Management of Soybean - Conclusions
• Agronomic management interacts with
row spacing, with a greater response to
crop nutrition in narrow row
environments.
• Large opportunities exist to increase
soybean productivity and require a high
yielding variety, positioned for maximum
light interception, protected from stress,
and fed with the right balance of crop
nutrients.
44
 Sincere Thank You to:
• Harold Lambert, Denise Wright
• LATMC Participants
• Fred Below and Graduate Students
• University of Illinois Crop Physiology Lab

For more information, please visit:

Crop Nutrition:
University of Illinois Crop Physiology Laboratory:
http://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu
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