Impact of Planting Date and Maturity Group on Mid-South Soybean Production.

Impact of Planting Date and Maturity Group on Mid-South Soybean Production The Mississippi Alluvial River Valley aquafer is being depleted at distressing rates due to irrigation withdrawal for cotton, corn, soybeans and rice. Current soybean production strategies consist of planting a majority of acres with maturity group IV and V soybean varieties. However, it is believed that transitioning more planted acres to maturity group III or IV soybean varieties could allow for an earlier harvest and the potential for less irrigation events when compared to maturity group V soybean varieties. An experiment was conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center located in Stoneville, Mississippi in 2015 to determine the impact that planting date and soybean maturity group has on yield, water use and harvest date. Maturity group III, IV, and V soybean varieties were planted within three separate planting dates, which ranged from 20-April to 2-June. Sentek soil moisture sensors and Irrometer Watermark moisture sensors were used to determine when irrigation events should be initiated. Each individual maturity group within a planting date was irrigated based upon the water use needs of the plants within the plot. Water use, date of harvest, and yield results from each individual maturity group by planting date will be discussed. Results from this study will provide insight into maturity group selection, optimum planting date and water management strategies for Mid-South soybean production.