228-10 Twin-Row Vs. Single-Row Soybean Production In the Mid South As Influenced by Planting Date and Seeding Rate.



Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Hall C, Street Level

H. Arnold Bruns, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS
Comparisons of single-row vs. twin-row soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) production on a Beulah fine sandy loam (coarse-loamy, mixed thermic Typic Dystrochrepts) and Sharkey clay (Vertic Haplaquept) were made in 2009 and 2010 at Stoneville, MS..  Seeding rates of 20, 30, 40, and 50 seed m-2 were planted on beds in 25cm twin-rows with 102cm centers or 102cm single-rows.  Planting dates were made in , mid-April, mid-May, representing the ESPS and a mid-June common to double-crop soybean after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) .  Data included established plants at R4, nodes and pods plant-1, yield, seed weight, and seeds m-2.  Twin-rows yielded more than single-rows on both soils (3.8 Mg ha-1 vs. 3.6 Mg ha-1 on the sandy loam; 4.2 Mg ha-1 vs. 4.0 Mg ha-1 on the clay).  Yields in 2010 were less due to drought and heat stress. Delayed planting decreased yields.  Increasing seeding rates had no effect. Twin-rows on both soils had more plants m-2 than single-rows.  Differences in nodes plant-1 were noted but did not affect yield. Pods plant-1 did not differ between row configurations on either soil.  Seeding rates above 30 seeds m-2 are not economically beneficial.  Seed weights differed slightly. Twin-rows generally produced more seeds per m2 than single rows.  Delayed planting will result in decreased yields. The small yield increases combined with equipment costs makes it important to consider a twin-row planter’s usefulness in other crops before investing in it for soybean production.
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