Fred Below Crop Physiology Laboratory Department of Crop Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Fred Below Crop Physiology Laboratory Department of Crop Sciences University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Le Rendez-vous Vegetal Brossard, Quebec February 10, 2016

Do Growers Adequately Manage Soybean?

The Soybean Yield Gap US average soybean yield of about 3.1 tons per hectare (46 bushels per acre) World record yield 10.8 tons per hectare (161 bushels ) Illinois record 7.24 tons per hectare (108 bushels)

The Six Secrets of Soybean Success What Factors Have the Biggest Impact on Soybean Yield?

Not Secrets of Soybean Success, but Important to Overall Crop Productivity Corn yields 1.6 tons better when it follows soybean and needs 40-50 kg less nitrogen fertilizer

Not Secrets of Soybean Success, but Important to Overall Crop Productivity Soybean improves soil tilth compared to corn Soybean root system is a taproot while corn roots are fibrous

Soybean Improves Soil Tilth

Crucial Prerequisites, but not Secrets of Success Drainage Weed Control Proper Soil ph

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

Above Average Precipitation during June, 2015 Source: NOAA Midwestern Regional Climate Center

2015 Weather Challenges

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

Soybean Gets Some N from Fixation by Nodules

N Uptake (kg N ha -1 ) N Uptake & Partitioning for 4 Ton Soybean 275 220 165 110 55 Grain Flowers, Pods Stem, Petioles Leaves Soybean needs to accumulate 70 kg of N per ton of grain, half of which comes from the nodules 100 80 60 40 20 Percent of Total (%) 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Days After Planting 0 Planting V2 V4 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8 Growth Stage Agron. J. 107:563-573 (2015)

Nitrogen Needs and Removal by 4 Ton Soybean Crop Amount Required *Amount from Nodules Removed with Grain Net Removal from Soil kg hectare -1 275 137 200 63 * Assuming 50% of total N accumulation supplied by N fixation from nodules Data averaged across two varieties, two fertility regimes, and three site-years during 2012 and 2013

Soybean Needs More N than it Can Fix N uptake (kg ha -1 ) 600 500 400 300 200 100 Total N uptake Biological N fixation 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Yield (Mg ha -1 ) Adapted from Salvagiotti et al. 2008. Field Crops Res. 108:1-13.

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

Typical Fertilization for Corn and Soybean in the US 200 kg N, 100 kg P 2 O 5 and 112 kg K 2 O per hectare applied to corn. No S or micronutrients No fertilizer applied to soybean

Nutrient Uptake and Removal by Nutrient 4 Ton Soybean Required to Produce Removed with Grain Harvest Index kg hectare -1 % N 275 201 73 P 2 O 5 48 39 81 K 2 O 190 78 41 S 17 10 61 Zn (g) 335 140 44 B (g) 325 111 34 Data averaged across two varieties, two fertility regimes, and three site-years during 2012 and 2013. Agron. J. 107:563-573 (2015)

Nutrient Uptake and Removal by Nutrient 4 Ton Soybean Required to Produce Removed with Grain Harvest Index kg hectare -1 % N 275 201 73 P 2 O 5 48 39 81 K 2 O 190 78 41 S 17 10 61 Zn (g) 335 140 44 B (g) 325 111 34 Data averaged across two varieties, two fertility regimes, and three site-years during 2012 and 2013. Agron. J. 107:563-573 (2015)

Typical Fertilization for Corn and Soybean in the US 200 kg N, 100 kg P 2 O 5 and 112 kg K 2 O per hectare applied to corn. No S or micronutrients No fertilizer applied to soybean

P and K Uptake and Removal by 4 Ton Soybean vs 14.4 Ton Maize Nutrient Required to Produce Removed with Grain Remain in Stover Corn Soy Corn Soy Corn Soy kg hectare -1 P 2 O 5 113 48 90 39 23 9 K 2 O 202 190 66 78 136 112 Corn data from Agron J. 105:161-170 (2013); Soybean data from Agron. J. 107:563-573 (2015)

K Uptake & Partitioning for 4 Ton Soybean K Uptake (kg K 2 O ha -1 ) 180 150 120 90 60 30 Grain Flowers, Pods Stem, Petioles Leaves Most (50%) K accumulation is in the stem and leaf petioles 100 80 60 40 20 Percent of Total (%) 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Days After Planting 0 Planting V2 V4 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8 Growth Stage Agron. J. 107:563-573 (2015)

P Uptake & Partitioning for 4 Ton Soybean P Uptake (kg P 2 O 5 ha -1 ) 48 40 32 24 16 8 Grain Flowers, Pods Stem, Petioles Leaves Season long uptake and no reservoir of P in the stem and leaf petioles 100 80 60 40 20 Percent of Total (%) 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Days After Planting Planting V2 V4 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8 Growth Stage Agron. J. 107:563-573 (2015) 0

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

All Soybean Varieties are Not Created Equal Variety Yield Variety Yield Variety Yield ton ha -1 ton ha -1 ton ha -1 1 4.7 7 5.3 13 5.7 2 4.8 8 5.4 14 5.7 3 4.8 9 5.5 15 5.8 4 5.0 10 5.6 16 5.9 5 5.1 11 5.6 17 6.0 6 5.2 12 5.6 17 varieties with high-input management at Champaign, IL 2015

All Soybean Varieties are Not Created Equal MG Yield MG Yield MG Yield ton ha -1 ton ha -1 ton ha -1 3.0 4.7 2.9 5.3 3.9 5.7 2.5 4.8 3.7 5.4 3.8 5.7 2.5 4.8 3.6 5.5 3.8 5.8 2.9 5.0 3.7 5.6 3.3 5.9 2.6 5.1 3.1 5.6 3.5 6.0 2.8 5.2 3.1 5.6 17 varieties with high-input management at Champaign, IL 2015

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

Soybean is Indeterminate Flower and leaf development at the same time Closest leaf provides most of the energy for pods at that node Typical plant has 20 nodes Source: Fig. 14 from Pedersen, 2009, Soybean Growth and Development.

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

Soybean Yield Components Yield = Pod number/ha x Seeds per pod x Weight per seed

The Legendary 5 Bean Pod Champaign, 2013

Soybean Yield Components Yield = Pod number/ha x Seeds per pod x Weight per seed

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

Soybean Yield Components Yield = Pod number/ha x Seeds per pod x Weight per seed

How Does Pod Number Effect Soybean Yield 3.0 Pod Number (per node) 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 3.4 tons 0.0 0 5 10 15 20 Node Number

How Does Pod Number Effect Soybean Yield 3.0 Pod Number (per node) 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 3.4 tons 4.2 tons 0.0 0 5 10 15 20 Node Number

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

Impact of Seed Treatment on Emergence Untreated Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide Photos courtesy of AJ Woodyard, BASF

Impact of Seed Treatment on Soybean Growth Fungicide only R2 growth stage, Champaign, IL 2012 Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide

Impact of Seed Treatment on Soybean Growth Plants at growth stage R2 at Champaign, IL 2012

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

Row Spacing Affects Light Interception And Canopy Air Movement 76 cm Rows 51 cm Rows Champaign, IL 2012

Standard vs High Tech System 2014-15 Phosphorus Potassium P and K Foliar Protection Seed Treatment Row Arrangement P applied year before to corn 84 kg P 2 O 5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn) Banded 10-15 cm under row at planting K applied year before to corn 84 kg K 2 O as Aspire (K & B) Broadcast and incorporated at planting P & K applied year before to corn MESZ and Aspire applied as above No foliar protection Fungicide and Insecticide at R3 Untreated or Fungicide only Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide 76 cm row spacing 51 cm row spacing

Banding Fertilizer 10-15 cm Deep Directly Under the Future Crop Row

Seeding Soybean Crop 4 cm Deep Directly Over the Fertilizer Band

Without banded fertility but with adequate soil test values With banded fertility to provide 28 kg N, 84 kg P 2 O 5, 20 kg S, 2 kg Zn per acre

Standard vs High Tech System 2014-15 Phosphorus Potassium P and K Foliar Protection Seed Treatment Row Arrangement P applied year before to corn 84 kg P 2 O 5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn) Banded 10-15 cm under row at planting K applied year before to corn 84 kg K 2 O as Aspire (K & B) Broadcast and incorporated at planting P & K applied year before to corn MESZ and Aspire applied as above No foliar protection Fungicide and Insecticide at R3 Untreated or Fungicide only Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide 76 cm row spacing 51 cm row spacing

Soybean Management Trials 2014 and 2015 3 sites in Illinois with: 6-7 plots at 3 locations Banded phosphate or broadcast potassium, or both at planting Different company seed (Asgrow, Syngenta, Croplan) and foliar protection products: BASF or Syngenta DeKalb (42 o N) Champaign (40 o N) Normal and full maturity variety All in 76 cm vs 51 cm rows, at a seeding rate of 384,000 plants/ha Harrisburg (37 o N)

Yield Response to Management 2014 Location Standard High Tech Δ tons hectare 1 DeKalb 4.67 5.30 +0.63* Champaign 5.15 6.54 +1.39* Harrisburg 4.13 4.78 +0.65* Average 4.65 5.57 +0.92* *Significant at P 0.05. Average of two varieties in each trial

Yield Response to Management 2015 Location Standard High Tech Δ tons hectare 1 DeKalb 3.78 4.94 +1.16* Champaign 5.38 6.64 +1.26* Harrisburg 5.04 5.58 +0.54* Average 4.73 5.72 +0.99* *Significant at P 0.05. Four to six varieties in each location

Standard vs High Tech System 2014-15 Phosphorus Potassium P and K Foliar Protection Seed Treatment Row Arrangement P applied year before to corn 84 kg P 2 O 5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn) Banded 10-15 cm under row at planting K applied year before to corn 84 kg K 2 O as Aspire (K & B) Broadcast and incorporated at planting P & K applied year before to corn MESZ and Aspire applied as above No foliar protection Fungicide and Insecticide at R3 Untreated or Fungicide only Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide 76 cm row spacing 51 cm row spacing

Add Technology Decrease Technology 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 -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 +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 76 and 51 cm row spacing

Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard Management Standard System Add One Enhanced Factor Yield D Standard Management 4.70 tons hectare -1 +Phosphorus (as MESZ also N,S, Zn) 5.01 +0.31* +Potassium (as Aspire also B) 4.67-0.03 +Phosphorus & Potassium 4.99 +0.29* +Fungicide & Insecticide (R3) 4.87 +0.17* +Seed Treatment (at planting) 4.79 +0.09 +Row Spacing (51 cm rows) 4.99 +0.29* *Significantly different from standard at P 0.05. Average of 10 trials over 2014 and 2015 with two varieties in each trial

Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech System High Tech System Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield D tons hectare -1 High Tech all Six Factors 5.65 -Phosphorus (fertility previous corn) 5.29-0.36* -Potassium (fertility previous corn) 5.69 +0.04 -Phosphorus & Potassium 5.25-0.40* -Fungicide & Insecticide 5.44-0.21* -Seed Treatment (none or base) 5.48-0.17* -Row Arrangement (76 cm rows) 5.08-0.57* *Significantly different from standard at P 0.05. Average of 10 trials over 2014 and 2015 with two varieties in each trial

Soybean Omission Plots Ave of 2014 & 2015 Trials *Significantly different at P 0.05. Average of 10 trials over 2014 and 2015 with two varieties in each trial Standard High Tech Factor Yield D Yield D tons hectare -1 None or All 4.70 5.65 Phosphate 5.01 +0.31* 5.29-0.36* Potassium 4.67-0.03 5.69 +0.04 P & K 4.99 +0.29* 5.25-0.40* Fung. + Insect. 4.87 +0.17* 5.44-0.21* Seed Treatment 4.79 +0.09 5.48-0.17* Row Arrangement 4.99 +0.29* 5.08-0.57*

Conclusions Soybean yield can be increased with better crop management Soil fertility, particularly phosphorus is one of the most important management factors for increasing soybean yields Variety makes a big difference and usually the fullest maturity gives the highest yield

Conclusions 60% of soybean yield comes from nodes 7-13, so it is important to protect leaves at those nodes Each of the six secrets of soybean can independently increase yield and when combined into a system they can act synergistically

Acknowledgements Personnel Brad Bandy Tryston Beyrer Tom Boas Ryan Becker Ross Bender Brad Bernhard Fernando Cantao Narjara Cantelmo Renato Carmargos Laura Gentry Claire Geiger Jason Haegele Andrew Harmon Cole Hendrix Adam Henninger Brandon Litherland Shelby Mann Jack Marshall Adriano Mastrodomenico Katie Parker Ellie Raup Alvero Santos Ana Scavone Juliann Seebauer Jiying Sun Martín Uribelarrea Mike Vincent Alison Vogel Kyle Vogelzang Wendy White

Crop Physiology Lab Sites & Farm Cooperators DeKalb DeKalb - Eric Lawler H.B. Babson Farms Champaign University Research Farm Champaign Harrisburg - Scott Berry Berry Farms Harrisburg

Acknowledgements Financial Support AGCO Agricen Agrium AgroFresh Albion BASF Calmer Corn Heads Crop Production Services Dawn Equipment Dow AgroSciences DuPont Pioneer Fluid Fertilizer Foundation Goemar GrowMark Honeywell Helena Chemical Company Illinois Soybean Association IPNI John Deere Koch Agronomic Service Midwestern BioAg Monsanto Mosaic Nachurs Netafim Orthman Rentech Syngenta Stoller Enterprises Valent BioSciences West Central WinField Solutions Wolf Trax Wyffels Hybrids

Very Special Thanks Le Rendez-vous Committee Mike Sevey The Mosaic Company For more information: Crop Physiology Laboratory at the University of Illinois http://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu