fred below, jason haegele, and ross bender

Fred Below, Jason Haegele, and Ross Bender

Crop Physiology Laboratory Department of Crop Sciences

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

22nd Annual National No-Tillage Conference Springfield, IL

January 15, 2014

Quest for High Soybean Yields

• 9 billion people by 2050 requires a doubling of crop production, including soybean

• US average soybean yields are currently about about 42 bushels/acre

Quest for 85 Bushel Soybean

• 85 bushel soybean produced each year in state soybean yield contests

• World record soybean yield of 161 bushels

Quest for 85 Bushel Soybean

• Intelligent Intensification with the management factors that have the biggest impact on soybean yield each year

• The Six Secrets of Soybean Success

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

Champaign, IL 2012

Not Secrets of Soybean Success, but Important to Overall Crop Productivity

•  Corn yields 25 bu better when it follows soybean & requires less fertilizer N

•  Soybean improves soil tilth compared to corn

Crucial Prerequisites, but not Secrets of Success

• Drainage

• Weed Control

• Proper Soil pH

Weather

65432 1

Factor Rank

The Six Secrets of Soybean Success

Given key prerequisites

Excess Precipitation Delayed Planting in 2013

Exceptional Drought in 2012

Fertility Weather

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Factor Rank

The Six Secrets of Soybean Success

Given key prerequisites

Typical Fertilization for Corn and Soybean in Illinois

• 180 lbs N, 90 lbs P2O5 and 120 lbs K20 per acre applied to corn. No S or micronutrients

• No fertilizer applied to soybean

Nutrient Uptake and Removal by

62 Bushel Soybean

Nutrient Required

to Produce Removed with Grain

Harvest Index

lb acre-1 %

N 271 194 72 P2O5 50 39 78 K2O 180 75 42

S 19 11 57 Zn (oz) 7.9 2.1 27 B (oz) 5.9 1.8 36

Average of two varieties at DeKalb, IL 2012

P and K Uptake and Removal by 62 bu Soybean vs 230 bu Corn

Nutrient   Required    to  Produce  

Removed  with  Grain  

Harvest  Index  

Corn    Soy   Corn   Soy   Corn   Soy              lb  acre-­‐1   %  

     P2O5   101   50   80   39   79   78  

     K2O   180   180   56   75   32   42  

Corn data from Agron J. 105:161-170 (2013); Soybean data from DeKalb, IL 2012

Days After Planting0 20 40 60 80 100 120

K Up

take

(lb

K 2O a

c-1)

0

25

50

75

100

125

150

175

200

Perc

ent o

f Tot

al (%

)

0

20

40

60

80

100GrainFlowers, PodsStem, PetiolesLeaves

Planting V3 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8

Growth Stage

K Uptake & Partitioning for 62 Bushel Soybean

Average of 2 varieties at DeKalb, IL 2012

Days After Planting0 20 40 60 80 100 120

P Up

take

(lb

P 2O5 a

c-1)

0

10

20

30

40

50

Perc

ent o

f Tot

al (%

)

0

20

40

60

80

100GrainFlowers, PodsStem, PetiolesLeaves

Planting V3 V7 R2 R4 R5 R6 R8

Growth Stage

P Uptake & Partitioning for 62 Bushel Soybean

Average of 2 varieties at DeKalb, IL 2012

Fertility Weather

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Factor Rank The Six Secrets of Soybean Success

Given key prerequisites

Genetics/Variety

Variety Yield Variety Yield bu acre-1 bu acre-1

1 54.5 6 60.8 2 55.5 7 62.3 3 56.3 8 64.2 4 57.9 9 64.8 5 58.7 10 66.0

All Soybean Varieties are Not Created Equal

10 varieties with high-tech management at Champaign, IL 2012

Fertility Weather

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Factor Rank The Six Secrets of Soybean Success

Given key prerequisites

Genetics/Variety Foliar Protection

Soybean Yield Components

Yield = Pod number/acre x

Seeds per pod x

Weight per seed

Node Number0 5 10 15 20

Pod

Num

ber (

per n

ode)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0How Does Pod Number Effect Soybean Yield

50 Bushels

Node Number0 5 10 15 20

Pod

Num

ber (

per n

ode)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0How Does Pod Number Effect Soybean Yield

62 Bushels

50 Bushels

Fertility Weather

65432 1

Factor Rank The Six Secrets of Soybean Success

Given key prerequisites

Genetics/Variety Foliar Protection Seed Treatment

Impact of Seed Treatment on Emergence

Photos courtesy of AJ Woodyard, BASF

Untreated

Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide

Fungicide only Fungicide, Insecticide, Nematicide

Impact of Seed Treatment on Soybean Growth

R2 growth stage, Champaign, IL 2012

Impact of Seed Treatment on Soybean Growth

Plants at growth stage R2 at Champaign, IL 2012

Fertility Weather

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Factor Rank The Six Secrets of Soybean Success

Given key prerequisites

Genetics/Variety Foliar Protection Seed Treatment Row Arrangement

Row Spacing Affects Light Interception And Canopy Air Movement

30” Rows 20” Rows

Champaign, IL 2012

Standard vs High Tech – Soybean 2012 Fertility P or K applied year before to corn

75 lbs P2O5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn) Banded 4-6” directly under row at planting

Variety Normal maturity grown in region Longest possible maturity for region

Foliar - No foliar protection protection Fungicide or Insecticide or Both

Seed - Untreated or fungicide only treatment Fungicide, insecticide, nematicide

Row - 30 inch row spacing arrangement 20 inch row spacing

Champaign

Harrisburg

Soybean Omission Plots 2012 6 plots at 4 sites with: • Two trials Champaign & Rushville • Banded fertility at planting • Maturity according to region • Normal maturity in standard vs full maturity in high tech

• Different company seed and foliar protection products: Syngenta or Monsanto/BASF

• All in 30 inch vs 20 inch rows, at a

seeding rate of 160,000 plants/acre

Rushville

DeKalb

Soybean Omission Plot Design

Treatments evaluated in 30 and 20 inch row spacing

MANAGEMENT  FACTORS  Treatment   FerQlity   Variety   Foliar   Seed  treatment  

HIGH  TECH   Placed   Full  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Full  

Decrease  Techn

ology   -­‐FerQlity   None   Full  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Full  

-­‐Variety   Placed   Normal  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Full  

-­‐InsecQcide   Placed   Full  maturity   Fungicide  only   Full  

-­‐Fungicide   Placed   Full  maturity   InsecQcide  only   Full  

-­‐Foliar  protecQon   Placed   Full  maturity   None   Full  

-­‐Seed  treatment   Placed   Full  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Basic  

TRADITIONAL   None   Normal  maturity   None   Basic  

Add  Techno

logy   +FerQlity   Placed   Normal  maturity   None   Basic  

+Variety   None   Full  maturity   None   Basic  

+Fungicide   None   Normal  maturity   Fungicide  only   Basic  

+InsecQcide   None   Normal  maturity   InsecQcide  only   Basic  

+Foliar  protecQon   None   Normal  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Basic  

+Seed  treatment   None   Normal  maturity   None   Full  

No Interaction of Row Spacing and Other Management Factors in 2012

30” Rows 20” Rows

Champaign, IL 2012

Location Yield Increase Δ bu acre-1

DeKalb +6.5* Champaign1 +3.0* Rushville1 +1.6* Harrisburg - 2.6* Average +2.1*

Yield Increase from 20” Row Spacing

*Significant P ≤ 0.05, Average of six trials in Illinois and of standard and high technology management. 1Two trials at Champaign and Rushville

Soybean Omission Plot Design

Treatments evaluated in 30 and 20 inch row spacing

MANAGEMENT  FACTORS  Treatment   FerQlity   Variety   Foliar   Seed  treatment  

HIGH  TECH   Placed   Full  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Full  

Decrease  Techn

ology   -­‐FerQlity   None   Full  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Full  

-­‐Variety   Placed   Normal  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Full  

-­‐InsecQcide   Placed   Full  maturity   Fungicide  only   Full  

-­‐Fungicide   Placed   Full  maturity   InsecQcide  only   Full  

-­‐Foliar  protecQon   Placed   Full  maturity   None   Full  

-­‐Seed  treatment   Placed   Full  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Basic  

TRADITIONAL   None   Normal  maturity   None   Basic  

Add  Techno

logy   +FerQlity   Placed   Normal  maturity   None   Basic  

+Variety   None   Full  maturity   None   Basic  

+Fungicide   None   Normal  maturity   Fungicide  only   Basic  

+InsecQcide   None   Normal  maturity   InsecQcide  only   Basic  

+Foliar  protecQon   None   Normal  maturity   Fungicide  +  InsecQcide   Basic  

+Seed  treatment   None   Normal  maturity   None   Full  

Location Standard HighTech Δ

bu acre-1

DeKalb 66.0 77.4 +11.4* Champaign 1 52.5 64.2 +11.7* Champaign 2 58.1 66.0 +7.9* Rushville 1 39.2 47.2 +8.0* Rushville 2 37.8 49.8 +12.0* Harrisburg 47.5 55.0 +7.5*

Soybean Yield Response to Management

* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05. Average of 30 & 20” rows

Standard System Add One Enhanced Factor Yield Δ

bu acre-1

Standard Management 50.1 +Fertility (extra N, P, S, Zn) 55.0 +4.9* +Variety (fullest maturity for region) 53.8 +3.7* +Fungicide (at R3 growth stage) 52.2 +2.1* +Insecticide (at R3 growth stage) 53.8 +3.7* +Fungicide and Insecticide 53.9 +3.8* +Seed treatment (at planting) 52.9 +2.8*

Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard Management

*Significantly different from standard at P ≤ 0.05. Average of 6 trials in Illinois in 2012 and of 30 and 20” rows

High Tech System Omit One Enhanced Factor Yield Δ

bu acre-1

High Tech all Six Factors 60.0 -Fertility (fertility from previous corn) 56.3 -3.7* -Variety (normal maturity for region) 57.1 -2.9* -Fungicide (no fungicide) 57.2 -2.8* -Insecticide (no insecticide) 57.7 -2.3* -Fungicide and Insecticide 56.7 -3.3* -Seed treatment (none or base) 57.6 -2.4*

Omit One Enhanced Factor from High Tech System

*Significantly different from standard at P ≤ 0.05. Average of 6 trials in Illinois in 2012 and of 30 and 20” rows

Standard High Tech Factor Yield Δ Yield Δ

bu acre-1

None or All 50.1 60.0 Fertility 55.0 +4.9* 56.3 -3.7* Variety 53.8 +3.7* 57.1 -2.9* Fungicide 52.2 +2.1* 57.2 -2.8* Insecticide 53.8 +3.7* 57.7 -2.3* Fung. + Insect. 53.9 +3.8* 56.7 -3.3* Seed treatment 52.9 +2.8* 57.6 -2.4*

2012 Soybean Omission Plots – Average of Six Trials

* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05. Average of 30 & 20” rows

Standard vs High Tech – Soybean 2013 Fertility P or K applied year before to corn

75 lbs P2O5 as MESZ (N, P, S, & Zn) Banded 4-6” directly under row at planting

Variety Normal and Full maturity for region Normal and Full maturity for region

Foliar - No foliar protection protection Fungicide or Insecticide or Both

Seed - Untreated or fungicide only treatment Fungicide, insecticide, nematicide

Row - 30 inch row spacing arrangement 20 inch row spacing

Champaign

Harrisburg

Soybean Omission Plots 2013 8 plots at 4 sites with: • Two plots at each site • Banded fertility at planting • Different company seed and

foliar protection products: Syngenta or Monsanto/BASF

•  Normal and full maturity variety in each trial in 2013

• All in 30 inch vs 20 inch rows, at a

seeding rate of 160,000 plants/acre

Rushville

DeKalb

No Difference Between Normal and Full Maturity Varieties in 2013 Probably Due

to Relatively Late Planting

Row Spacing Interacted with

Other Management Factors in 2013

30” Rows 20” Rows

Champaign, IL 2012

Row Space Standard High

Tech Δ

inches bushels acre-1

30 67.2 70.6 +3.4*

20 66.8 73.5 +6.7* Increase from

20 inch rows -0.4 +2.9*

Row Space and Management Interaction

* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05. Average of eight trials each with two varieties in 2013

Location Standard High Tech Δ ———— bushels acre–1 ————

DeKalb 1 63.3 69.7 +6.4* DeKalb 2 72.2 74.8 +2.6 Champaign 1 57.7 56.8 -0.9 Champaign 2 62.9 63.5 +0.8 Harrisburg 1 64.1 67.8 +3.7* Harrisburg 2 61.8 66.7 +4.9* Rushville 1 78.8 82.0 +3.2* Rushville 2 76.5 84.0 +7.5*

Average 67.2 70.6 +3.4*

Effect of Management on Soybean (30” Rows)

*Significant at P ≤ 0.1. Average of two varieties in each trial.

Location Standard High Tech Δ ———— bushels acre–1 ————

DeKalb 1 63.4 75.6 +12.2* DeKalb 2 70.7 78.2 +7.5* Champaign 1 60.0 63.2 +3.2 Champaign 2 61.5 66.3 +4.8* Harrisburg 1 63.2 68.8 +5.6* Harrisburg 2 63.8 67.1 +3.3* Rushville 1 79.2 85.1 +5.9* Rushville 2 72.5 83.7 +11.2*

Average 66.8 73.5 +6.7*

Effect of Management on Soybean (20” Rows)

*Significant at P ≤ 0.1. Average of two varieties in each trial

30”Rows 20” Rows

Add One Factor Yield Δ Yield Δ bushels acre-1

Standard 67.2 66.8 +Fertility 69.4 +2.2* 71.2 +4.4* +Fungicide 68.6 +1.4* 69.2 +2.4* +Insecticide 66.7 +0.5 68.8 +2.0* +Fung. + Insect. 69.2 +2.0* 70.1 +3.3* +Seed treatment 67.0 -0.2 69.4 +2.4*

Add One Enhanced Factor to Standard Management

*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05. Average of eight trials in 2013

30”Rows 20” Rows

Omit One Factor Yield Δ Yield Δ

bushels acre-1

High Tech (all) 70.6 73.5 –Fertility 69.8 -0.8 70.8 -2.7* –Fungicide 70.8 +0.2 72.8 -0.7 –Insecticide 70.0 -0.6 72.4 -1.1 –Fung. + Insect. 69.9 -0.8 71.0 -2.5* –Seed treatment 70.7 +0.1 70.9 -2.6*

Omit One Enhanced Factor From High-Tech System

*Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05. Average of eight trials in 2013

Standard High Tech

Factor Yield Δ Yield Δ bu acre-1

None or All 58.6 66.0 Fertility 62.6 +4.0* 63.4 -2.6* Fungicide 60.6 +2.0* 64.1 -1.9* Insecticide 60.8 +2.2* 64.6 -1.4* Fung. + Insect. 61.8 +3.2* 63.5 -2.5* Seed treatment 60.6 +2.0* 64.2 -1.8*

Soybean Omission Plots – Average of all Trials 2012-13

* Significantly different at P ≤ 0.05. Average of 30 & 20” rows

Conclusions

• Soybean yield can be increased with crop management

• Each of the six secrets of soybean can independently increase yield and when combined into a system they are partially additive

Acknowledgements

• Brad Bandy • Tryston Beyrer • Tom Boas • Ryan Becker • Ross Bender • Fernando Cantao • Paula Cler • Keila Cunha • Paulo Galvao • Laura Gentry • Claire Geiger • Jason Haegele • Mark Harrison • Cole Hendrix • Adam Henninger

• Jim Kleiss • Brandon Litherland • Jack Marshall • Bianca Moura • Ellie Raup • Matías Ruffo • Juliann Seebauer • Marjorie Souza • Logan Smith • Martín Uribelarrea • Mike Vincent • Alison Vogel • Kyle Vogelzang • Wendy White

Personnel

Champaign

Harrisburg

Crop Physiology Lab Sites & Farm Cooperators

DeKalb - Eric Lawler H.B. Babson Farms

Rushville - Mike Dyche Jr.

Dyche Farms Inc

Champaign – UI Research Farm

Harrisburg - Scott Berry Berry Farms

Rushville

DeKalb

Acknowledgements

• AGCO • Agricen • Agrium • AgroFresh • BASF • Calmer Corn Heads • Crop Production Services • Dawn Equipment • Dow AgroSciences • DuPont/Pioneer • Fluid Fertilizer Foundation • GrowMark • Honeywell • Helena Chemical Company • Illinois Corn Marketing Board • Illinois Soybean Association

• IPNI • John Deere • Koch Agronomic Service • Monsanto • Mosaic • Nachurs • Netafilm • Orthman • Rosen’s Inc. • Syngenta • Stoller Enterprises • Valent BioSciences • WinField Solutions • Wolf Trax • Wyffels Hybrids

Financial Support

Very Special Thanks • No-Till Farmer •  Illinois Soybean Association

For more information:

Crop Physiology Laboratory at the University of Illinois

http://cropphysiology.cropsci.illinois.edu