On-Farm Soybean Variety Evaluation for Suitability to Organic and Transition to Organic Production in Southern Manitoba.

Organic farmers have the opportunity to take advantage of increased organic soybean demand in Manitoba from domestic and international markets. However, a greater technical knowledge base and proper soybean varieties in Manitoba are required, as there are currently limited varietal choices. The objective of this project is the evaluation of 12 early season conventional (non-GMO) soybean varieties under organic management in southern Manitoba. Twelve varieties were seeded on four organic farms and one transition to organic farm in St-Pierre-Jolys, Woodmore, Elie, Somerset, and Swan Lake as well as the Ian Morrison Research Farm in Carman, Manitoba in 2014 and 2015 (Elie and Swan Lake sites were not repeated in 2015). All plots received pre-emergence harrow as well as one inter-row cultivation pass at the V3 stage.

One of the primary qualities under evaluation is weed competitiveness. Within each plot, a 1m² area was kept weed-free to compare weed competitiveness performance. Yield data was comparable to conventional soybean yields in Manitoba, however, five out of six sites observed no significant differences between cultivars in 2014. Additionally, there were no significant differences observed between weedy and weed-free subplots at any site in 2014. Significant differences between cultivars such as plant height, height to first pod, soybean and weed biomass accumulation at V5 and quality (protein and oil content) were also observed. Data analyses are ongoing. This research provides performance data and technical support for organic farmers interested in soybean production in Manitoba.