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Planting Date and Starter Fertilizer Effects on Soybean Growth and Yield

Hankinson, Matthew William
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429734801

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Horticulture and Crop Science.
Environmental conditions at the time of planting are a crucial determinant of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr] yield potential. In recent years, it has become common in Ohio to begin planting earlier in the growing season, as soon as mid- or late-April in some cases. However, soil conditions are typically cooler and wetter earlier in the spring compared to later planting dates, and nutrient availability may be limited. When planting soybean into cool and wet soil, the application of a starter fertilizer may be beneficial in providing nutrients to assist in root and shoot development until soils warm in the spring and nutrients become more available. The objectives of this study were to (i) evaluate the effect of planting date on soybean canopy development and yield; (ii) evaluate the effect of starter fertilizer on soybean biomass, nodulation, and yield; and (iii) evaluate the estimated net return for each planting date and starter fertilizer. Objectives were evaluated at the Western Agricultural Research Station (WARS) in 2013 and 2014 on Kokomo silty clam loam, a fine, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Argiaquoll. In 2014, there was an additional location at the Northwest Agricultural Research Station (NWARS) on Hoytville clay loam, a fine, illitic, mesic Mollic Epiaqualf. A split-plot, randomized complete block design was used at all locations. The main plot factor was planting date. There were four plant dates at WARS and three at NWARS, beginning the first week of May and every two to three weeks after. The sub-plot factor was starter fertilizer with 5 treatments compared: none (control), urea, triple superphosphate (TSP), urea + TSP, and diammonium phosphate (DAP). Nitrogen was applied at a rate of 30 lb N ac-1 and phosphorus was applied at a rate of 40 lb P2O5 ac-1. Fertilizer was applied in a band two inches beside and two inches below the seed at planting. The 20 treatments were replicated four times. Canopy closure was measured on a biweekly basis. Biomass and nodulation were measured at the V2 (second trifoliate) and R1 (initial flowering) growth stages. After harvest, an estimated net return for each treatment was calculated using average soybean and fertilizer prices for 2009-2013. Significantly higher yields were seen for earlier planting dates at the WARS location in 2013 and 2014, and yield decreased as planting was delayed. At WARS in 2013, there were also significant yield differences between starter fertilizer treatments, where the TSP and DAP treatments yielded higher than the control. In 2014, there was an interaction between planting date and starter fertilizer treatments, where the highest yielding treatment combination was for DAP application at the earliest planting. No statistically significant differences were seen between planting date or starter fertilizer treatments at NWARS in 2014. While there can be yield benefits associated with starter fertilizer application to soybean, this use could be limited due to fluctuations in soybean and fertilizer prices, and may not provide a significant net return to the grower.
Laura Lindsey (Advisor)
David Barker (Committee Member)
Steven Culman (Committee Member)
81 p.
Agricultural Economics; Agriculture; Agronomy; Horticulture
soybean; planting date; starter fertilizer; canopy closure; yield; weather; biomass; nodules; nodulation; nitrogen; phosphorus

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hankinson, M. W. (2015). Planting Date and Starter Fertilizer Effects on Soybean Growth and Yield [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429734801

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hankinson, Matthew. Planting Date and Starter Fertilizer Effects on Soybean Growth and Yield. 2015. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429734801.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hankinson, Matthew. "Planting Date and Starter Fertilizer Effects on Soybean Growth and Yield." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1429734801

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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