Released: March 25, 2005

Planting Soybeans Early Could Yield Extra Benefits

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Research at Kansas State University and recent findings at the University of Nebraska show that the earlier soybeans are planted in the spring, the greater the number of nodes the plants can develop.

“That can be significant, since nodes are where flowers are formed and flowers are where pods are set,” said Dale Fjell, crop production specialist with K-State Research and Extension.

“The weather will dictate what actual yields will be, but the more nodes, the greater the possibilities.” he said. “Even if the plant is growing slowly, there is still greater opportunity for it to grow vegetatively and to put on more nodes. Three to four more nodes could give 10 to 15 more pods and 30 to 40 more berries.”

Soybean planting in Kansas typically ranges from April 1 to June 1.

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K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Mary Lou Peter
mlpeter@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News