Rethinking soybean planting rate, Part two

(In this three-part series, Syngenta global head of soybean breeding Joseph Byrum shares the results of a big data analysis of more than 400 research experiments on plant populations and soybean yields, published in scientific journals. While both approaches are equally effective from a yield perspective, input costs are significantly reduced if the farmer strives for the optimal number of large soybean plants. Scientific data guides the way Through our big data analysis of over 400 trials in North and South America, we evaluated which factors have the most impact on the relationship between plant population and yield. The soil condition, the length of the growing season and similar factors that vary greatly with where a field is located has the greatest impact on the optimal plant population. [1] http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-04-24-2017.pdf Making sense of the biology That's a huge spread in the minimum number of plants needed to achieve maximum yield, but it makes sense when one considers the biological factors underlying these regional differences. Since yield depends on having enough leaf area to absorb solar radiation, it makes sense that temperate and tropical locations can get by with less dense fields. Soybean farmers know the seed variety group best able to reach maturity before the weather turns frosty. Joseph Byrum is Senior R&D and Strategic Marketing Executive in Life Sciences - Global Product Development, Innovation and Delivery at Syngenta.