Normal Vs Lower seeding rate

This experimental field was in Lincoln County, South Dakota. Soybeans variety S27-M8X was planted in 30-inch rows in strips on May 25, 2021. The purpose of this experiment is to compare two different seeding rates. Soybean was planted in 30 feet wide strips having two different seeding rates of 110K and 170K (normal) seeding rates. This experiment had 3 replications for each seeding rates. Soybean were harvested on October 9,2021. For analysis purposes, the field was classified into three different yield zones: low yield zones (less than 35 bu/ac), mid yield zones (35-55 bu/ac), and high yield zones (more than 55 bu/ac). This analysis consider high yield zone.

Overall, there was no significant different in yield comparing two seeding rates (Figure 1 & Table 1) which mean lowering the seeding rate from 170K to 110K did not reduces yield significantly. Out of 3 replications, 2 replications observed greater yield in 170 seeding rate where as remaining one observed in 110K seeding rates. On average reducing seeding rate to 110K seeding rate decreased yield by 1.0 bu/ac but not statistically significant. This implies that lowering the seeding rate may produce same yield along with reducing the total input cost to farmers however weather parameter may effect this result. More research at multiple sites with more replications are required to better explain the contrast between two different treatments in different environmental conditions.