Annual Report of Progress
to the
MISSISSIPPI SOYBEAN PROMOTION BOARD
for 1996

Objectives

1. To conduct field trials to confirm that research-based recommendations for soybean production management can profitably produce high yields.
2. To improve the current recommendations on soybean production by implementing and refining new ideas and technologies.
3. To identify areas of soybean production which need further study by researchers.
4. To develop an on-farm data set which will give improved economic analysis.

Significant Accomplishments

The irrigated soybean yields ranged from 35 to 65.2 and averaged 48.1 bu/A. The highest yield in 1996 was a furrow irrigated field of Delta Pine 3478 in Sunflower County that yielded 65.2 bu/A. The irrigated fields included five with border irrigation, wh ich had an average yield of 45.1 bu/A, four furrow irrigated fields with an average yield of 51.9 bu/A, and two pivot irrigated fields which averaged 48.2 bu/A.

In 1996, we had two border fields that had drainage and disease problems due to the excess water. Both of these fields yielded 35 and 38 bushels/acre, but should have been 50+. Throwing out the yield for these two fields increased the average yield on the border irrigated fields to 50.8 bu/A only 1 bushel per acre less than the furrow irrigated fields. The yield in pivot irrigated fields has been lower, but we are trying to get these producers to do some things they have never done before and implementati on has been slow.

The non-irrigated soybean yields ranged from 30.1 to 43.5 bu/A and averaged 36.1 bu/A or 12.0 bu/A less than the average for the irrigated fields.

Of the eighteen fields in the SMART program in 1996, thirteen had returns above total specified expenses of over $150.00 per acre and eight exceeded $220.00 per acre. Although the average price used in 1996 was almost one dollar above previous years, the data still shows that a profit can be made producing soybeans. Returns of total specified expenses includes all costs except a return to land and management.

In 1995, three fields were treated for insects; in 1996, only one field required treatment. Ironically, both years all the fields treated for insects were located in the Delta and this treatment was for worms. In all instances, the maturity group treated was a Group V, not a Group IV. Thus, SMART is demonstrating in some cases the value of certain practices under conditions where research information is unavailable and similar conditions would be difficult to repeat in small plots.

A furrow irrigated field in Sunflower county was the highest yielding field in 1996. This 47.8 acre field was planted on May 7 and 8 in 20 inch rows and yielded 65.2 bu/A. The field was furrow irrigated six times. A 160.7 acre pivot field beside the furrow field cut 56.6 bu/A for an average yield of 58.9 bu/A on 207.9 acres. The importanc e of variety selection, early planting date, irrigation, irrigation scheduling and drainage all played a major role in allowing this field to achieve this yield. In addition, the above factors once again demonstrate that variety selection and planting dat es are very important inputs.

Numerous scenarios arise that allow us to improve on production options. Burndowns, weed control, fertility, variety selection, and irrigation scheduling are just a few. Perhaps the major contribution of the SMART program to cooperating producers has been accomplished through variety selection. Other management practices are important, but this ranks above all others. For example, there are several practices listed below that we feel the SMART program is directly responsible for or has had a major impact on.

• Adoption of Group IV soybeans
• Importance of field history on variety selection
• Timely weed control both pre and post emergence
• Economics
• Introduction and adoption of border irrigation
• Yield potential of well managed soybeans
• Irrigation scheduling and soybean water requirements
• Drainage
• Plant populations and row spacing
• Earliness
• Selecting varieties based on row spacing, soil type and disease and nematode resistance

The 1996 SMART program encouraged adjustments in extension recommendations on seedling disease control and has encouraged the establishment of research on the reaction of currently available soybean varieties to mid-season phytophthora rot. Both of these diseases were a problem in 1996 and occurred in several locations in the delta including a few SMART fields.

The emphasis of the SMART program continues to be increased profits and recommendations to cooperating producers are being timely implemented to accomplish this.

Most producers who have completed their two years in the program request an additional year and other producers are requesting to become involved in the program. We feel that significant accomplishments have been made and the program has much to offer fut ure cooperators.

Soybeans in Mississippi Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station  Mississippi State University Extension Service Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine

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